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Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction-Based Detection and Quantification of Hepatitis B Virus DNA
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Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction-Based Detection and Quantification of Hepatitis B Virus DNA

Published on: December 15, 2023

Clinical and virological differences between hepatitis B virus genotypes B and C: a case-control study

Pisit Tangkijvanich1, Varocha Mahachai, Piyawat Komolmit

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.

Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand = Chotmaihet Thangphaet
|August 9, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype C is linked to higher rates of Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and more severe liver disease compared to genotype B in chronically infected patients.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Virology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • The clinical significance of different hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes remains incompletely understood.
  • Chronic HBV infection affects millions globally, with varying clinical outcomes.
  • Genotypes B and C are prevalent in Asia, but their distinct pathogenic roles require further clarification.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate and compare the clinical and virological characteristics of HBV genotypes B and C.
  • To determine if specific HBV genotypes are associated with different disease severities or progression patterns.
  • To elucidate the pathogenic significance of HBV genotypes in a Thai chronic hepatitis B cohort.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study was conducted involving 470 patients with chronic hepatitis B.
  • HBV genotyping was performed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP).
  • Sixty-five patients with HBV genotype B were matched with genotype C patients based on sex, age, and liver disease distribution.

Main Results:

  • Patients with HBV genotype C exhibited significantly higher serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels compared to genotype B.
  • Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) positivity was significantly more frequent in genotype C (50.8%) than genotype B (30.8%) patients.
  • HBV DNA levels were comparable between genotypes, but HBeAg-positive genotype C patients were older on average.

Conclusions:

  • HBV genotype C is associated with a higher prevalence of HBeAg and delayed HBeAg seroconversion.
  • Patients with HBV genotype C demonstrated more severe liver disease progression compared to those with genotype B.
  • These findings highlight distinct pathogenic roles for HBV genotypes B and C in chronic infection.
Abstract

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