HBe seroconversion and HBs mutation among Japanese hepatitis B virus carriers

It has been reported in Germany that seroconversion to anti-HBe or anti-HBs is frequently associated with genotype changes of hepatitis B virus (HBV) from genotype A to genotype D. We previously reported that the HBeAg-negative state in Japan was significantly more common in patients infected with genotype B HBV than those infected with genotype C HBV. To determine whether the high prevalence of genotype B in the HBeAg-negative state is due to a change from genotype C to genotype B, 72 pairs of serum samples before and after HBe seroconversion were examined for nucleotide sequences in the S gene (amino acids 42-164) among Japanese HBV carriers. No one was identified to have undergone genotype change during HBe seroconversion. A total of 71 codon mutations were observed. Sixty-two of these 71 codon mutations (87.3%) were non-synonymous. Genotype B HBV had no mutational hot spots. In genotype C, there was a mutational hot spot at amino acid 126 of the S protein, and it was suggested that Thr126 before HBe seroconversion was more susceptible to becoming an asymptomatic carrier after HBe seroconversion than Ile126. In conclusion, genotype changes during HBe seroconversion were not found to be common in Japan.