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Hepatitis B e antigen-negative chronic hepatitis B in Hong Kong
H L Chan1, N W Leung, M Hussain
1Division of Gastroenterology, University of Michigan and VA Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
Hepatology (Baltimore, Md.)
|March 8, 2000
Summary
Hepatitis B e antigen-negative chronic hepatitis B (e-CHB) affects up to 17% of patients. This condition is not always linked to specific HBV mutations and may require further study for prevalence and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Hepatitis B e antigen-negative chronic hepatitis B (e-CHB) is recognized in Asia, but its prevalence and clinical impact remain unclear.
- Understanding e-CHB is crucial for managing chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of e-CHB in Hong Kong.
- To investigate the frequency of precore and core promoter mutations in e-CHB patients.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study of 350 Chinese patients with chronic HBV infection.
- Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) status, HBV DNA levels, and mutations (precore and core promoter) were assessed.
Main Results:
- 69% of patients were HBeAg-negative; 17% of these had evidence of e-CHB.
- Precore stop codon mutation was found in 45% and core promoter mutations in 41% of e-CHB patients.
- No correlation was observed between mutations and liver disease severity or HBV DNA levels.
Conclusions:
- e-CHB may be present in up to 17% of HBeAg-negative patients in Hong Kong.
- e-CHB is a heterogeneous condition not solely defined by precore mutations.
- Further population studies are needed to establish the true prevalence and natural history of e-CHB in Asia.