Prevalence and Clinical Implications of Hepatitis B Virus Genotypes in Southern Taiwan

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Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major health problem. HBV genotypes may be associated with progression of liver disease. The distribution and clinical implications of HBV genotypes in southern Taiwan are evaluated. We used a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism genotyping method to determine HBV genotypes. The genotype distribution for 265 patients with chronic HBV infection was as follows: A, 3 (1%); B, 158 (60%); C, 90 (34%); D, 7 (2.5%); E, 0: F, 0; and unclassified, 7 (2.5%). Compared with genotype B patients, genotype C patients had a higher hepatitis B e antigen positive rate and higher fibrosis score. There was no significant difference in the mean age between genotype B and genotype C patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, when patients were stratified by age, the prevalence of genotype C was significantly higher in young HCC patients (<50 years of age) than in age-matched asymptomatic carriers (40% versus 10%, P < 0.001). Using multivariate analysis, the significant risk factors for advanced liver disease (cirrhosis or HCC) for patients with chronic HBV infection were old age, male gender and genotype C. These results suggest that genotype C is associated with more severe liver diseases than the B variant.

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