Evolution of primary and compensatory lamivudine resistance mutations in chronic hepatitis B virus-infected patients during long-term lamivudine treatment, assessed by a line probe assay.

With the availability of more potent nucleotide/nucleoside analogues, the early detection of drug-resistant mutants of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is important for the strategic treatment of chronic hepatitis B. We studied 336 serum samples from 80 patients chronically infected with HBV who were receiving lamivudine treatment for the presence of lamivudine resistance mutations at codons 80, 173, 180, and 204 of the HBV polymerase. The sequencing data were compared with the results generated with the INNO-LiPA HBV DR (drug resistance) v2 strip, a line probe assay (LiPA) covering wild-type and mutant motifs, for resistance mutations to lamivudine and adefovir dipivoxil.

Precore and core promoter mutations at the time of HBeAg seroclearance in Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of precore and core promoter (CP) mutations before, at and after HBeAg seroclearance in Chinese patients.

Methods: Precore and CP mutations were determined in 93 patients with chronic hepatitis B 12-24 months before, at and 12 months after the time of HBeAg seroclearance.

Results: No significant changes were found in the prevalence of precore or CP mutations before, at and after HBeAg seroclearance.

Determinants for the occurrence of acute exacerbation of hepatitis B virus infection in Chinese patients after HBeAg seroclearance.

This study was performed to determine the factors for predicting the occurrence of acute exacerbation of hepatitis B virus infection in HBeAg-negative patients. Two hundred and sixteen patients with known times of HBeAg seroclearance were recruited. Liver biochemistry and virologic markers were monitored.

Epidemiological study of hepatitis B virus genotypes, core promoter and precore mutations of chronic hepatitis B infection in Hong Kong.

Background/aims: We conducted a population study to document the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes in Hong Kong.

Methods: HBV genotypes, core promoter (CP) and precore mutations were determined in 776 asymptomatic patients.

Results: 92.

Prognostic factors in severe exacerbation of chronic hepatitis B.

Forty-seven patients with severe hepatitis B exacerbation were compared with patients who had mild exacerbation (n=96) or no exacerbation (n=96). Seventeen patients (36.2%) died or underwent liver transplantation.

Relationship between the development of precore and core promoter mutations and hepatitis B e antigen seroconversion in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus.

Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (332 with and 44 without cirrhosis-related complications) were studied. Fifty percent of patients <30 years old had precore mutations. The prevalence of precore mutations among hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive patients, although lower than that among anti-HBe-positive patients (P=.