Subgenotype and genetic variability in the precore/core regions of hepatitis B virus in Korean patients with chronic liver disease.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) subgenotypes, the spectrum of mutations in the precore/core region through phylogenetic analysis, and the relevance of viral characteristics in disease progression in Korean patients.

Methods: 133 patients with chronic HBV infection were enrolled. The precore and core region of HBV was amplified and sequenced.