乙型肝炎病毒e抗原阴性慢性乙型肝炎患者的肝组织病理分级分期及其与丙氨酸氨基转移酶的关系

目的 观察乙型肝炎病毒e抗原（HBeAg）阴性慢性乙型肝炎（CHB）患者的肝组织病理分级、分期及其与丙氨酸氨基转移酶（ALT）的关系.方法 收集我院HBeAg阴性CHB406例肝穿病理标本,常规HE、Masson三重染色,光镜下观察其病理变化并进行分级和分期,并比较其与ALT的关系.结果 病理诊断为HBeAg阴性CHB轻度292例（71.92%）,中度96例（23.65%）,重度18例（4.43%）.其中73.65%的患者肝脏炎症损伤≥G2,64%患者已出现不同程度的肝纤维化.炎症活动度分级与ALT分级比较差异无显著性（P=0.367）.结论 70%的HBeAg阴性CHB患者存在不同程度肝脏炎症损伤和（或）肝纤维化,且与ALT的增高程度没有相关性,约30%的患者肝脏炎症损伤和纤维化程度较重.     

HBeAg阴性与阳性慢性乙型肝炎患者的临床病理比较研究

目的探讨HBeAg阴性和HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎患者的临床病理学差异。方法选择2008年01-05月在北京佑安医院住院并作活体肝组织穿刺病理学诊断（肝穿）且诊断为慢性乙型肝炎的患者157例,其中HBeAg（＋）组87例,HBeAg（-）组50例,对2组间的血清学指标及肝穿病理结果进行对比分析。结果①HBeAg（＋）组和HBeAg（-）组HBV DNA阳性率比较有统计学差异（P=0．0000）;②HBeAg（＋）组患者的ALT异常率要高于HBeAg（-）组,差异具有统计学意义（P=0．023）;⑧HBeAg（＋）组的病理炎症分级要重于HBeAg（-）组,差异具有统计学意义（P=0．0021）,但2组间纤维化程度差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）;④HBeAg（-）组中HBV DNA（＋）组的病理炎症分级要重于HBV DNA（-）组,差异有统计学意义（P=0．007）,但2组间纤维化程度差异没有统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论血清HBeAg阳性是判断HBV复制的良好指标。对HBeAg阴性患者应常规测定血清HBV DNA水平,筛查前C区变异。尤其应对HBeAg阴性且HBV DNA高水平的患者加以重视,结合肝穿结果综合评估病情以指导临床诊疗。     

慢性乙型肝炎患者H BV DNA水平与肝脏病理相关性及影响因素

目的：本研究以血清 e 抗原状况和患者年龄分组对 ALT＜2×ULN 的乙型肝炎（CHB）患者血清 HBV DNA水平与肝脏炎症和纤维化严重程度的相关性进行探讨。方法对253例ALT＜2×ULN 的CHB患者进行肝组织病理学检查,并检测肝功能、HBV DNA定量和 HBV血清标志物,分别按肝脏病理分级、e-抗原状态和 HBV DNA载量分组,比较各组肝脏炎症及纤维化程度。结果重度肝脏炎症、纤维化组中 HBeAg 阴性比例均较轻度组高（P＝0．043,P＝0．033）;重度肝脏炎症、纤维化组患者年龄均较轻度组大（P＝0．004,P＝0．000）。HBeAg阴性患者中高病毒载量组中肝脏炎症、纤维化患者比例较高（P＝0．001,P＝0．007）。≥38岁的 HBeAg 阴性CHB患者中,高病毒载量组较低病毒载量的患者重度肝脏炎症及纤维化比例高（P＝0．000,P＝0．041）,HBeAg 阳性 CHB 患者中,低病毒载量CHB患者比高病毒载量的患者重度肝脏炎症及纤维化比例高（P＝0．042,P＝0．042）,年龄＜38岁的CHB患者无论是HBeAg阳性和阴性CHB患者肝脏炎症及纤维化严重程度与血清HBV DNA水平间均无相关。结论年龄是预测不同HBV DNA水平下CHB患者结局的关键因素。对于ALT＜2×ULN的CHB患者,均应积极建议患者进行肝脏穿刺活组织检查,而对于≥38岁 HBeAg阳性低病毒载量的CHB患者更应给予高度重视。     

慢性HBV感染者血清HBeAg、HBV DNA载量与肝组织病理损伤的关系

目的对比不同年龄阶段乙型肝炎e抗原（HBeAg）阳性及HBeAg阴性慢性乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）感染者的肝脏病理特点。方法 323例慢性HBV感染者分为HBeAg阳性组与HBeAg阴性组,每组以40岁为界分为高龄组与低龄组,均经肝穿刺活组织检查,同时检测血清丙氨酸氨基转移酶（ALT）、HBV DNA,分析HBeAg阳性与HBeAg阴性患者高龄组与低龄组的肝脏病理损伤与血清ALT及HBV DNA水平的关系。结果 HBeAg阳性高龄组与HBeAg阴性高龄组比较具有更明显的炎症程度（P〈0.05）及更高的HBV DNA载量（P〈0.01）,HBeAg阳性低龄组与HBeAg阴性低龄组比较HBV DNA载量较高（P〈0.01）,但炎症程度无明显差异（P〉0.05）。HBeAg阴性非活动性HBV携带者与HBeAg阴性慢性乙型肝炎患者肝脏病理炎症、纤维化程度及血清HBV DNA水平在高龄组差异有统计学意义（P〈0.01）,而在低龄组差异无统计学意义。结论慢性HBV感染者血清HBeAg表达和HBV DNA水平与肝组织病理炎症分级的关系在不同年龄阶段表现不同,血清HBeAg表达与否和HBV DNA水平高低不能单独作为判断肝组织病理变化程度的指标。     

肝功能正常的乙型肝炎病毒感染者临床病理分析

目的了解肝功能正常的乙型肝炎病毒感染者的临床病理特点。方法对294例患者进行生化、病毒标志物及病毒定量检测,并结合肝脏病理组织学检查进行分析。结果光镜下见肝组织基本正常者10例,病理诊断为轻度肝炎者220例,肝硬化22例,其中活动期肝硬化16例,静止期肝硬化2例,未明确4例。在所有患者中炎症分级≥2者计116例,占总数的42．6％（116／272）。血清HBV DNA水平与肝组织炎症分级间无明显相关性,而HBV DNA阴性组肝纤维化程度要重于HBV DNA阳性组;HBeAg阴性组肝组织炎症程度及纤维化程度均要重于HBeAg阳性组。WBC、PLT、GGT、CHE和1球蛋白5个指标对于肝硬化的诊断具有辅助价值。结论对于肝功能正常的乙型肝炎病毒感染者应尽可能行肝脏病理检查,以明确诊断,并指导治疗。     

乙型肝炎病毒前C区变异与慢性乙型肝炎病理改变的相关性

目的 探讨慢性乙型肝炎中乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）前C区1896突变与肝组织病理的关系。方法 对173例慢性乙型肝炎患者进行肝活检,观察肝组织病理分级（G）和分期（S）情况,同时检测乙型肝炎病毒的e系统状态和HBV前c区1896阳性患者（20％）;随着肝组织炎症活动度和纤维化程度的进展,变异株检出率似乎有增加趋势,但无统计学意义（P＝0．98和P=0．052)。结论 HBV前C区变异在HBeAg阴性组高于HBeAg阳性组;未发现HBV前C1896变异与慢性乙型肝炎的炎症分级和纤维化分期有相关关系。     

肝功能正常的慢性乙型肝炎病毒感染者血清HBeAg及HBV DNA与肝组织病理改变的关系

目的了解肝功能正常的慢性乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）感染者肝组织病理改变特征,并分析血清HBeAg及HBV DNA定量与肝组织病理改变的关系。方法选取肝功能正常的慢性HBV感染者90例,行肝穿刺病理检查,依据血清HBeAg及HBV DNA将患者分组,分别比较HBeAg阳性和阴性组及HBV DNA阳性和阴性组患者肝组织炎症分级和纤维化分期结果。结果90例患者100%存在肝组织损伤,其中肝硬化8例（8.9%）;慢性乙型肝炎轻度62例（68.9%）,中度8例（8.9%）,重度12例（13.3%）。82例病理诊断慢性乙型肝炎的患者中,炎症分级G≥2者30例（36.6%）;纤维化分期S≥2者28例（34.15%）。HBeAg阴性组病理炎症分级及纤维化分期均明显重于阳性组（P值均〈0.05）。HBV DNA阴性和阳性组肝组织炎症分级和纤维化分期差异均无统计学意义。结论肝功能正常的慢性HBV感染者,肝组织病理皆非＂正常＂;血清HBeAg、HBV DNA均不能反映肝脏损伤情况;对此类患者制定治疗方案时应考虑肝组织病理检查结果。     

HBeAg阴性与阳性慢性乙型肝炎的临床病理对比研究

目的从临床及病理学两个层面分析HBeAg阴性与HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎（以下简称慢乙肝）的特征,比较其血清生化指标变化、病毒载量水平及肝组织病理改变的特点。方法选取慢性乙型肝炎（CHB）患者67例,行超声引导下快速肝穿刺活检,并分别检测血清ALT、AST、TBil、A/G及HBVDNA定量,将结果进行对比分析。结果67例CHB患者中,HBeAg阴性24例（35.82%）,阳性43例（64.18%）。HBeAg阴性慢乙肝与HBeAg阳性慢乙肝比较,阴性组血清ALT水平升高较阳性组明显,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;其血清AST、TBil、A/G两组比较均无明显差异。两组HBVDNA定量水平比较,阴性组低于阳性组,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。两组肝组织病理学改变无明显差异（P〉0.05）。结论HBeAg阴性慢乙肝患者存在不同程度肝功能损害和病理损伤,应给予高度重视,有条件时应进行肝穿刺活检,以便及早诊断和治疗。     

慢性乙型肝炎患者血清HBeAg、HBV DNA与肝组织炎症关系的探讨

目的探讨慢性乙型肝炎血清HBeAg及HBV DNA水平和肝组织炎症损害的关系.方法采用微粒子免疫捕捉分析法和荧光定量聚合酶链反应分别对74例HBeAg阴性和73例HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎患者进行血清HBeAg、HBV DNA定量检测和肝组织活检病理炎症分级,对比分析结果.结果74例HBeAg阴性慢性乙型肝炎患者中27例（36%）血清HBV DNA＞105拷贝/ml,随着G1～G4肝组织炎症损害级别的增高其所占例数也相应增高,统计学分析HBV DNA水平与肝组织炎症病理分级的相关性有显著意义;血清HBeAg定量0～29 PEIU/ml,随肝组织炎症病理分级上升定量阳性（＞0.28 PEIU/ml）的病例比率增加,经统计学分析两者具有相关性.73例HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎患者中有49例（67%）血清HBV DNA＞105拷贝/ml,血清HBeAg及HBV DNA水平与肝组织炎症分级无相关性.结论血清HBV DNA水平可作为判断HBeAg阴性慢性乙型肝炎患者肝组织炎症损害程度的指标,血清HBV DNA水平愈高肝组织炎症损害往往愈重.36%的HBeAg阴性慢性乙型肝炎患者血清HBeAg水平低下而HBV DNA复制活跃,可能存在HBV的前C区终止突变合并C区突变.血清HBV DNA水平不能反映HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎肝组织炎症损害的程度.     

HBeAg阳性和HBeAg阴性慢性乙型肝炎患者肝组织病理对比分析

目的探讨HBeAg阳性和HBeAg阴性慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)患者肝组织病理炎症活动度分级和纤维化分期以及与临床的关系。方法对我院近年收治的1112例有肝穿病理资料的慢性乙型肝炎患者进行分析,比较HBeAg阳性和HBeAg阴性CHB患者肝组织病理的分级分期及其与肝功能的关系。结果1112例慢性乙型肝炎患者HBeAg阳性706例(占63.49%),HBeAg阴性406例(占36.51%)。两组肝组织病理炎症活动度分级及纤维化分期比较差异无显著性(P值均>0.05)。两组患者丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)与炎症分级比较差异无显著性(P>0.05)。结论无论HBeAg阳性或阴性慢性乙型肝炎患者肝脏炎症分级及纤维化分期比较差异均无显著性,肝组织病理损伤基本相同。     

HBeAg状态及乙型肝炎病毒载量对慢性重型乙型肝炎预后的影响

目的 探讨HBeAg状态及HBV DNA载量对慢性重型乙型肝炎预后的影响.方法 回顾分析2002年1月至2007年12月在南方医科大学南方医院住院的慢性重型乙型肝炎患者406例,研究HBeAg状态、HBV DNA载量对疾病预后的影响.计量资料采用t检验,率的比较采用X2检验.结果 406例重型肝炎患者中,HBeAg阳性208例,占51.2%,HBeAg阴性198例,占48.8%.HBeAg阳性组与HBeAg阴性组比较,两组间男女构成比、TBil峰值及平均凝血酶原活动度谷值差异均无统计学意义;HBeAg阴性组平均年龄(46.7±12.8)岁,显著高于HBeAg阳性组(38.3±13.5)岁(t=6.43,P＜0.01);HBeAg阴性组肝硬化患者占67.7%,亦显著高于HBeAg阳性组的45.7%(X2=19.97,P＜0.01);HBeAg阴性组好转率为32.3%,显著低于HBeAg阳性组的44.7%(X2=6.56,P＜0.05).在208例HBeAg阳性与198例HBeAg阴性患者中,均显示随着HBV DNA载量的升高,其好转率下降,呈显著负相关(X2=22.98,X2=26.04;均P＜0.01).结论 HBeAg阴性重型乙型肝炎较HBeAg阳性者预后差;无论HBeAg状态如何,HBV DNA载量越高,其预后越差.     

Characteristics of patients with chronic hepatitis B in France: predominant frequency of HBe antigen negative cases

BACKGROUND/AIMS: An increasing prevalence of HBe antigen (HBeAg) negative chronic hepatitis B has been recently reported in many countries. The aim of this study was to analyze the frequency and the characteristics of HBeAg-negative as compared with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B in France. METHODS: Eight hundred and sixty-five patients with histologically proven chronic hepatitis B seen in 26 University centers were included. The proportion with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B was 72% and higher in patients born in Africa, Middle East, Eastern, and Southern Europe than in those of French or Asian origin. HBeAg-negative patients were significantly older (p<0.001) and had lower ALT levels and HBV DNA serum levels (p<0.01) than HBeAg-positive patients. An unknown source of infection was more prevalent in HBeAg-negative patients (p<0.05). Fibrosis score (p<0.05) and proportion of cirrhosis (p<0.01) were significantly higher in HBeAg-negative patients. Age older than 50 years, male gender and viral load lower than 5 logs10 copies/mL were independently associated with cirrhosis. RESULTS: HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B is predominant in France. This observation is important for an optimized clinical management and future therapeutic trials in chronic hepatitis B.     

Hepatic steatosis in chronic hepatitis B develops due to host metabolic factors: A comparative approach with genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hepatic steatosis has not been adequately studied in chronic hepatitis B, while it is considered to be a cardinal feature in chronic hepatitis C and to be mainly metabolically induced in patients infected with genotype 1. We investigated the prevalence of and the parameters associated with steatosis in HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B. METHODS: We studied 213 patients with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B and compared them with 163 patients with genotype-1 chronic hepatitis C. Steatosis was semi-quantitatively graded. RESULTS: Steatosis was significantly less frequent in chronic hepatitis B than chronic hepatitis C (60% versus 72%, P=0.016), but there was no difference in the prevalence of moderate/severe steatosis. In chronic hepatitis B, steatosis was associated only with higher body mass index (P=0.002), while moderate/severe steatosis was associated only with higher body mass index (P=0.043) and diabetes (P=0.031). Steatosis was relatively less frequent in chronic hepatitis B than chronic hepatitis C non-diabetic, normal-weight patients (45.6% versus 62.5%, P=0.063), but it did not differ in diabetic and/or overweight/obese patients with chronic hepatitis B or chronic hepatitis C. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatic steatosis in HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B (a) is less frequent than in genotype-1 chronic hepatitis C, (b) is mainly associated with presence of host metabolic factors, such as high body mass index and diabetes and (c) does not seem to be associated with the severity of liver histological lesions.     

40岁以上HBeAg阳性和阴性慢性乙型肝炎病毒感染者的临床特点比较

目的探讨40岁以上HBeAg阳性和HBeAg阴性慢性HBV感染者的临床特点。方法收集40岁以上慢性HBV感染者共186例,其中HBeAg阳性组93例,HBeAg阴性组93例。结果 40岁以上HBeAg阳性慢性HBV感染者男性为多(76.34%),并且多有乙型肝炎家族聚集现象(78.49%);40岁以上HBeAg阳性慢性HBV感染者的HBV DNA水平与ALT水平均高于HBeAg阴性慢性HBV感染者;40岁以上乙型肝炎肝硬化患者中,HBeAg阳性者占少数;40岁以上乙型肝炎肝硬化失代偿期患者中,HBeAg阳性者多合并腹水形成,而HBeAg阴性者既可见腹水形成,又可见上消化道出血。结论 40岁以上HBeAg阳性慢性HBV感染者多见于男性,多具有家族聚集现象,HBeAg阳性肝硬化患者所占比率较低,但HBV DNA水平较高,肝脏的炎症活动明显,病情进展可能较快。     

Significance of hepatitis B viremia levels determined by a quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay in patients with hepatitis B e antigen-negative chronic hepatitis B virus infection

OBJECTIVES: In hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, the clinical relevance of low viremia levels remains unclear. We evaluated the clinical significance of a single baseline serum HBV DNA measurement by a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay in this setting. METHODS: In total, 196 patients with HBeAg-negative chronic HBV infection (62 inactive carriers, 134 with chronic hepatitis B) were studied. ALT activity was normal at baseline in 25/134 HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients (18.7%), whereas it remained normal throughout follow-up in all inactive carriers. RESULTS: HBV DNA was <30,000 copies/ml in 14 (10.5%) and <100,000 copies/ml in 17 (12.9%) HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients, whereas it was <30,000 copies/ml in all inactive carriers (undetectable in 14). In particular, HBV DNA levels were <100,000 copies/ml in eight (32%) and <30,000 copies/ml in five (20%) of the 25 patients with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B and normal baseline ALT values. HBV DNA levels with a cut-off at 30,000 or 100,000 copies/ml could correctly classify 92.9% or 91.3% of patients with HBeAg-negative chronic HBV infection, whereas ALT or IgM anti-HBc (IgM class antibody to HBV core antigen) index > 0.200 could correctly classify only 87.2% and 82.1% of patients, respectively. A combined HBV DNA and IgM anti-HBc index performed better by correctly classifying 94.4% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Serum HBV DNA levels evaluated by sensitive quantitative PCR assays can be used for differentiation between HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B and inactive hepatitis B surface antigen carrier state, but the cut-off level should be set at approximately 30,000 copies/ml and certainly lower than the recently suggested level of 100,000 copies/ml.     

e抗原阳性及阴性慢性乙型肝炎患者临床特点比较

目的 分析HBeAg阴性及阳性CHB患者临床、病毒学及病理组织学特点。方法 对417例CHB患者的临床资料、肝功能和HBV DNA进行分析,并对47例HBeAg阴性和36例HBeAg阳性患者肝脏病理组织进行分析。结果 417例CHB患者中男性286例,女性131例。HBeAg阴性患者241例,占57．8％（241／417）,平均年龄（43．7±10.8）岁,病程（16．8±8．5）年。HBeAg阳性患者176例,占42．2%（176／417）,平均年龄（37．0±11．4）岁,病程（12．3±8．1）年。HBeAg阴性患者平均年龄及病程均高于HBeAg阳性患者,差异有统计学意义（t值分别为-6．20和-5．43, P值均〈0．01）。HBeAg阴性及阳性患者组ALT分别为（37．7±32．9）U／L和（82．1±107．6） U／L,差异有统计学意义（t=5．30,P〈0．01）,两组患者的ALT分布差异也有统计学意义（x^2= 40.21,P〈0．01）。HBV DNA大于103拷贝／ml的患者,HBeAg阴性组92例,占38．2％（92／241）, HBeAg阳性组166例,占94．3%（166／176）,HBeAg阴性组低于阳性组（x^2=180．33,P〈0．01）。47例HBeAg阴性患者肝组织炎症活动度G1-G4分别为5、27、14、1例,肝组织纤维化程度S1-S4分别为10、12、5、20例;36例HBeAg阳性组G1-G4分别为5、14、15、2例,S1-s4分别为8、12、6、10例,差异均无统计学意义（x^2值分别为3．09和2．23,P值均〉0．05）。结论 应重视对HBV DNA低复制的HBeAg阴性的CHB患者的随访和治疗。     

A complete genomic analysis of hepatitis B virus genotypes and mutations in HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B in China

Summary.  We aimed to study the distribution of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes/subgenotypes in different parts of China and their clinical impact on the severity of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative chronic hepatitis B. Residual serum samples from a cohort of HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing were studied. Complete HBV genomic sequencing was performed for phylogenetic tree analysis and determination of HBV mutations was carried out. Mutations associated with severe liver fibrosis (Ishak score 4 or more) were selected by computerized information gain criteria. Genotype B (all subgenotype Ba) HBV was present in 19 of 45 (42%), 12 of 31 (39%) and 5 of 25 (20%) patients in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing, respectively ( P  = 0.16). Ninety-seven per cent of genotype C HBV in Shanghai and Beijing belonged to subgenotype Ce whereas 69% of genotype C patients in Hong Kong belonged to subgenotype Cs ( P  < 0.001). Patients infected by subgenotype Cs had the lowest serum albumin and highest alanine aminotransferase levels compared with subgenotype Ce and Ba. Patients infected by subgenotype Cs also had more severe histological necroinflammation than subgenotype Ce. Two HBV mutations were identified to associate with severe liver fibrosis (G2858C and C2289A) and one mutation was protective against severe liver fibrosis (T2201C). The T2201C mutation was found exclusively among patients (21 of 46 patients, 45%) infected by HBV subgenotype Ce. The clinical differences in HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B in China may be influenced by different distribution of subgenotype C HBV.     

Natural history of hepatitis B

The natural course of hepatitis B virus (HBV) chronic infection is variable, ranging from an inactive HBsAg carrier state to a more or less progressive chronic hepatitis, potentially evolving to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Chronic hepatitis may present as typical HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B or HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B. HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis is due to wild type HBV; it represents the early phase of chronic HBV infection. HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis is due to a naturally occurring HBV variant with mutations in the precore or/and basic core promoter regions of the genome; it represents a late phase of chronic HBV infection. The latter form of the disease has been recognized as increasing in many countries within the last decade and it represents the majority of cases in many countries. HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B is generally associated with a more severe liver disease with a very low rate of spontaneous disease remission and a low sustained response rate to antiviral therapy. Longitudinal studies of patients with chronic hepatitis B indicate that, after diagnosis, the 5-year cumulative incidence of developing cirrhosis ranges from 8-20%. Morbidity and mortality in chronic hepatitis B are linked to evolution to cirrhosis or HCC. The 5-year cumulative incidence of hepatic decompensation is approximately 20%. The 5-year probability of survival is approximately 80-86% in patients with compensated cirrhosis. Patients with decompensated cirrhosis have a poor prognosis (14-35% probability of survival at 5 years). HBV-related end-stage liver disease or HCC are responsible for at least 500,000 deaths per year.     

Hepatitis B virus precore mutants are identical in carriers from various ethnic origins and are associated with a range of liver disease severity.

Hepatitis B virus carriers in Israel are mostly HBeAg negative, of whom 5% to 10% have circulating hepatitis B virus. Recently, a hepatitis B virus variant with a stop codon in the precore region was identified, and it was suggested that specific mutations are associated with fulminant or severe chronic active hepatitis. We have analyzed serum samples from HBeAg-positive and HBeAg-negative patients by polymerase chain reaction, using primers spanning the precore/core region. Nucleotide sequence analysis (by direct sequencing) from amplified hepatitis B virus DNA demonstrated that viral genomes from all HBeAg-negative patients contain G to A mutation (nucleotide 1896), leading to the formation of a stop codon. An additional G to A mutation was identified three nucleotides downstream (nucleotide 1899). These patients are of various ethnic origins, with no unique clinical characteristics and with normal liver histology, chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis. No mutation at the precore/core region was observed in the HBeAg-positive patients. In conclusion, the precore mutations identified in hepatitis B virus carriers in Israel are identical regardless of the carrier's ethnic origin and are associated with mild-to-severe liver disease.