Response to adefovir depends on mutation patterns in precore region, basal core promoter and reverse transcriptase, and on-treatment responses in Lamivudine-resistant chronic hepatitis B patients.

Objective: In vitro studies showed that mutations in the basal core promoter (BCP) or precore (PC) region restore the replication inefficiency of the lamivudine-resistant mutant. The aim of this study was to clarify the effect of molecular characteristics on the antiviral response to adefovir in patients with lamivudine-resistant chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

Methods: Sixty-six lamivudine-resistant patients who were treated with adefovir monotherapy were studied.

New scoring system for predicting relapse after lamivudine-induced hepatitis B e-antigen loss in chronic hepatitis B patients.

Aim: In endemic areas of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, lamivudine-induced hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg) loss is not durable. We developed a scoring system to predict the relapse after lamivudine-induced HBeAg loss.

Methods: Of 93 HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients receiving lamivudine therapy, we studied the 30 patients who achieved HBeAg loss.

[Distribution of hepatitis C virus genotypes in Jeju Island].

Backgrounds/aims: The hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype affects clinical outcomes of HCV infection, in terms of the response to antiviral therapy and progression of chronic liver diseases, and shows geographic differences in distribution. The aim of this study was to elucidate the HCV genotypes in patients with chronic HCV infection in Jeju, which is an island off the Korean peninsula.

Methods: The study population consisted of 162 patients with anti-HCV antibodies and HCV-RNA.