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Published on: October 20, 2021
HBV genotypes: relevance to natural history, pathogenesis and treatment of chronic hepatitis B
Beom Kyung Kim1, Peter A Revill, Sang Hoon Ahn
1Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
Insights
Chronic hepatitis B infection varies globally, influenced by viral genotypes and host factors. Understanding these differences is key to managing liver disease and cancer risks worldwide.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Chronic hepatitis B (HBV) infection is a major global cause of chronic liver disease and mortality.
- Clinical outcomes of HBV infection, including disease progression and treatment response, exhibit significant geographical variations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the global epidemiology and natural history of HBV infection.
- To summarize the distinct HBV genotypes prevalent in different geographical regions and their clinical implications.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of global HBV epidemiology.
- Analysis of HBV natural history and clinical course variations.
- Summary of HBV genotypes by geographical distribution.
Main Results:
- Significant geographical differences exist in HBV prevalence, transmission, disease phases, treatment responses, and outcomes like cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.
- Viral, host, and environmental factors contribute to the complex clinical course of HBV infection.
- Specific HBV genotypes and their mutations are increasingly recognized as crucial in explaining geographical variations.
Conclusions:
- Understanding regional HBV genotypes and their molecular characteristics is essential for explaining geographical differences in infection outcomes.
- Tailoring management strategies based on regional HBV epidemiology and genotype prevalence may improve patient outcomes and reduce disease burden.
Abstract:
Although chronic HBV infection is the leading cause of chronic liver disease and death worldwide, there are substantial differences in its clinical courses regarding prevalence, mode of transmission, characteristics of each phase, responses to antiviral therapy, and development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, according to geographical areas (Asia versus Western Europe and North America versus Africa). Furthermore, the clinical course in infected individuals depends on a complex interplay among various factors including viral, host, environmental and other factors. Recently, understanding of molecular characteristics of the prevailing HBV genotypes, frequently accompanied mutations and their clinical implications might explain these geographical differences more pertinently. Hence, in this article, we review the global epidemiology and the natural history of HBV infection, with emphasis on summarizing the different HBV genotypes according to regions.
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