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.     

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阴性慢性乙型肝炎病毒感染者肝组织病理改变的相关因素分析

目的 分析HBeAg阴性慢性HBV感染者肝组织病理改变的相关因素.方法 对288例不同年龄、性别、ALT水平、肝组织HBsAg和HBcAg免疫组织化学结果的HBeAg阴性HBV感染者的HBV DNA载量、肝组织病理变化进行相关分析,采用Bivariate Pearson法.结果 男性组肝组织炎症分级和纤维化分期分别为1.721.23和1.71±1.24,女性组分别为1.25±1.39和1.21±1.40,两组差异有统计学意义(t=2.398,t=2.551;均P＜0.05)}男性HBV DNA载量高于女性,但差异无统计学意义.40岁以上HBeAg阴性HBV感染者HBV DNA载量、肝组织炎症分级和纤维化分期显著高于40岁以下者(t=2.060,t=2.536,t=2.808;均P＜0.05).ALT正常的HBeAg阴性乙型肝炎患者中,75例(52.03%)血清HBVDNA≤1×103拷贝/mL,肝组织炎症活动度≥G2的56例,占38.89%,血清ALT水平与肝组织炎症活动度相关(r=0.244,P=0.004).ALT异常的慢性HBV感染者中,42例(31.57%)血清HBV DNA≤1×103拷贝/mL,肝组织炎症活动度≥G2的89例,占66.92%.血清ALT水平与肝组织炎症程度无相关(r=0.007,P=0.939).肝组织免疫组织化学HBsAg及HBcAg双阳性组肝组织炎症/纤维化、HBV DNA滴度显著高于HBsAg、HBcAg双阴性组和HBsAg阳性、HBcAg阴性组,差异有统计学意义.血清HBV DNA与肝组织炎症程度相关(r=0.349,P＜0.05).结论 性别、年龄、血清HBV DNA水平及HBsAg、HBcAg免疫组织化学结果可作为判断HBeAg阴性慢性乙型肝炎患者肝组织炎症损伤程度的相关指标,男性、年龄越大、血清HBV DNA水平越高、肝组织免疫组织化学HBsAg及HBcAg双阳性,肝组织炎性反应损伤越严重.HBeAg阴性慢性乙型肝炎患者即使ALT正常、血清HBV DNA≤1×100拷贝/mL,仍约1/3患者的肝组织存在明显的炎性反应损伤,需定期追踪,最好行肝组织活检,以早期发现适宜治疗者而避免延误病情.     

慢性HBV感染者性别及HBeAg模式与血清HBV DNA水平的关系

目的探讨慢性HBV感染者性别、HBeAg与HBV DNA水平间的关系。方法运用荧光定量PCR检测151例从未经过保肝、降酶、免疫调节或抗病毒治疗的慢性HBV感染者的血清HBV DNA,同时运用双抗体夹心酶联免疫吸附法检测HBV血清标志物,并按性别的不同对结果进行相关性探讨。结果 HBeAg阳性组中男50例,女28例,血清HBV DNA检出率为100%;HBeAg阴性组中男59例,女14例,血清HBV DNA检出率为49.3%(36/73)。总体上,2组血清HBV DNA水平差异无统计学意义。但按HBeAg状态分组后,HBeAg阳性组中男性感染者血清HBV DNA水平明显低于女性(P<0.05);HBeAg阴性组中男女HBV DNA水平差异无统计学意义。结论 HBeAg阳性组中男性感染者血清HBV DNA水平明显低于女性,可能因为男性对HBV的免疫抑制强于女性。而HBeAg阴性组中男性感染者血清HBV DNA水平与女性无差异,可能因为男性对HBV的免疫抑制虽然强于女性,但也更易导致HBV变异及肝脏炎症活动,病毒变异导致HBeAg阴转,但是HBV复制能力反而增强,因此与女性的HBV DNA水平比较无差异。     

HBeAg与乙型肝炎相关性肝细胞癌关系的临床观察

目的研究HBeAg阴性与HBeAg阳性的乙型肝炎相关性原发性肝癌患者生化指标和病毒相关因素的差异,并探讨其临床意义。方法回顾性分析华西第一附属医院2009年1月～2010年11月以来住院的合并HBV感染原发性肝癌患者220例,分为HBeAg阳性与HBeAg阴性两组。探讨两组甲胎蛋白(AFP)水平、肝功能水平,HBV DNA定量、肝组织学指标的差异。结果HBeAg阳性原发性肝癌195例,占总数的89%;HBeAg阴性原发性肝癌25例,占总数的11%;HBeAg阳性组HBVDNA定量对数均值显著高于HBeAg阴性组(t=2.01,P<0.05);HBeAg阴性组肝纤维化分期为4期的比例为40%,明显高于HBeAg阳性组21%(χ2=9.5,P=0.049)。两组在AFP,肝功能等指标上差异无统计学意义。结论 HBeAg阳性原发性肝癌发生率高于阴性者。同HBeAg阳性原发性肝癌相比,HBeAg阴性肝癌患者肝组织学损害程度较重,合并肝硬化更为常见,预后更差。HBeAg阴性患者并发肝细胞癌,早期漏诊率高于阳性者。     

ALT轻度升高的HBeAg阳性和阴性慢性乙型肝炎患者肝组织病理学特点

目的 分析ALT轻度升高(1～2倍正常值上限)的HBeAg阳性和阴性慢性乙型肝炎患者肝组织病理学特点,并探讨年龄及HBV DNA水平对其的影响.方法 收集2009年10月至2011年3月,“十一五”国家科技重大专项——慢性乙型肝炎中西医结合治疗方案入组病例中符合条件者,行B超引导下肝穿刺活组织检查,并检测HBsAg、HBeAg滴度及HBV DNA水平.比较HBeAg阳性和阴性患者炎症分级和纤维化分期情况及年龄(≥40岁和＜40岁)、HBVDNA水平(≥105拷贝/ml和＜105拷贝/ml)对其的影响.两样本构成比的比较用x2检验,相关性分析用多因素logistic回归分析.结果 389例HBeAg阳性与126例HBeAg阴性患者的肝组织炎症分级与纤维化分期分布差异均无统计学意义(x2值分别为4.326和3.464,P值均＞0.05).＜40岁组中,HBeAg阳性与阴性患者的炎症分级及纤维化分期分布差异无统计学意义(x2值分别2.543和5.024,P值均＞0.05).≥40岁组中,HBeAg阳性患者中、重度炎症(G3、G4)所占百分比(32.9％)明显高于HBeAg阴性者(16.4％),x2=8.777,P＜0.05;纤维化分期分布差异无统计学意义(x2=0.977,P＞0.05).HBV DNA≥105拷贝/ml患者中,HBeAg阳性患者轻度炎症(Gl)所占百分比(17.5％)明显高于HBeAg阴性患者(7.3％),x2=8.851,P＜0.05;HBeAg阳性和阴性患者肝组织纤维化分期分布差异无统计学意义(x2=8.227,P＞0.05).HBVDNA＜105拷贝/ml的患者中,HBeAg阴性患者轻度炎症(Gl)所占百分比(29.6％)明显高于HBeAg阳性患者(6.9％),x2=6.357,P＜0.05;HBeAg阳性和阴性患者肝组织纤维化分期分布差异无统计学意义(x2=4.061,P＞0.05).多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示,年龄是肝脏病理炎症和纤维化轻重程度的独立危险因素(OR值分别为1.92和2.11,P值均＜0.05).结论 ALT轻度升高慢性乙型肝炎患者中,HBeAg状态与肝脏病理炎症及纤维化程度无关.年龄≥40岁的HBeAg阳性患者中、重度炎症比例明显升高;不同HBV DNA水平的HBeAg阳性与阴性患者肝脏炎症分级也有差异.     

老年人慢性HBV感染的临床特点分析

目的探讨老年人慢性乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）感染的疾病谱及临床特点。方法比较53例老年慢性HBV感染者与相同例数的低年龄组慢性HBV感染者的性别、疾病谱、血清HBVDNA和ALT水平。结果老年组慢性HBV感染的疾病谱与低年龄组有显著不同,前者以非活动性HBsAg携带者为主（66.0%）,后者中HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎患者较多（47.2%）。老年组慢性HBV感染者血清HBVDNA和ALT均明显低于低年龄组,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05或P〈0.01）。两组总体性别组成差异无统计学意义。结论非活动性HBsAg携带者是老年慢性HBV感染的主要疾病谱,但HBeAg阳性或阴性慢性乙型肝炎（CHB）和乙型肝炎肝硬化的发生率仍较高,且存在HBV复制和肝脏病变。     

慢性乙型肝炎病毒感染者家族隐匿性乙型肝炎病毒感染的调查

目的 了解慢性HBV感染者家族隐匿性HBV感染的发生率及其与HBV标志物、年龄和性别等的关系.方法 ELISA方法检测慢性HBV感染者家族成员的HBV血清学标志物,套式PCR法检测136例HBsAg阴性家族成员的血清HBV DNA,并将隐匿性HBV感染者和HBsAg、HBV DNA均阴性者分别作为试验组和对照组进行HBV标志物、年龄、性别和生物化学检测结果的比较.两组均数比较采用t检验.率的比较采用χ~2检验或Fisher确切概率法检验.结果 在52个慢性HBV感染者家族中共检测到92例HBsAg阳性者和136例HBsAg阴性者,其中15例为隐匿性HBV感染者,慢性HBV感染者家族HBsAg阳性率和隐匿性HBV感染的发生率分别为40.4%和11.0%,15例隐匿性HBV感染者中有7例抗-HBc阳性(χ~2=5.341,P=0.02),但隐匿性HBV感染的存在与年龄、性别等无关.结论 HBV感染存在家庭聚集现象,且在其家族中存在隐匿性HBV感染,并在抗-HBc阳性者中发生率较高.     

中国北方地区321例乙型肝炎病毒相关肝细胞癌患者的流行病学和临床特征分析

背景:我国是肝细胞癌(HCC)高发区,其中大部分HCC与乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)感染相关,有必要对其自然史和临床进程作大样本调查研究。目的:了解中国北方地区HBV相关HCC患者的流行病学和临床特征。方法:对中国北方地区321例HBV相关HCC患者作流行病学问卷调查,行肝功能、甲胎蛋白(AFP)、HBV血清标志物和HBV DNA水平检测,并进行统计分析。结果:321例HBV相关HCC患者中,仅7.2%接受过抗病毒治疗;46.4%和25.5%分别有肝硬化和肝癌家族史;38.3%有饮酒史。21.0%的患者乙型肝炎e抗原(HBeAg)阳性,62.3%乙型肝炎e抗体(HBeAb)阳性,HBeAg阳性者合并肝硬化的比例和HBV DNA水平较高。84.5%的患者HBV DNA阳性,但其中仅42.6%HBV DNA≥5.0log10,HBV DNA高水平者合并肝硬化的比例显著高于HBV DNA低水平者。无症状HBV感染、慢性乙型肝炎、代偿性和失代偿性肝硬化患者分别占4.1%、24.1%、39.0%和32.9%。71.0%的患者AFP升高,但其中仅33.8?P≥400ng/ml。结论:本组HBV相关HCC患者中,HBeAg阳性和高HBV DNA水平者不多,但病情常较重。肝硬化是HCC的重要危险因素,饮酒和肝癌家族史对HCC的发生有一定影响。血清AFP筛查有助于HCC的诊断。     

HBeAg阴性与阳性慢性乙型肝炎患者临床和病毒学特点分析

目的:回顾性分析HBeAg阴性和HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)患者在HBV DNA载量、肝功能及肝脏组织病理学方面的特点。方法:对60例CHB患者的临床资料,包括HBV DNA载量、肝功能及肝组织病理学检查结果进行回顾性分析。结果:60例患者中HBeAg阴性24例,占40.0%(24/60),平均年龄(48.3±7.7)岁;HBeAg阳性36例,占60.0%(36/60),平均年龄(27.7±9.1)岁,两者在平均年龄之间比较,差异有显著性意义(t=13.4,P<0.001)。HBeAg阴性与阳性患者的HBV DNA载量分别为(5.87±0.66)log拷贝/ml和(7.37±0.50)log拷贝/ml,两者之间比较,差异有显著性意义(t=13.6,P<0.001);ALT分别为(115.95±33.6)U/L和(172.2±84.20)U/L,两者之间比较,差异有显著性意义(t=4.81,P<0.001)。HBeAg阴性患者的肝组织炎症活动度分级(G)及纤维化分期(S)与HBeAg阳性者之间比较,差异无统计学意义(χ2值分别为2.53及1.27,P值分别为0.11及0.25)。结论:HBeAg阴性CHB患者的平均年龄高于HBeAg阳性者,HBV DNA载量及ALT值低于HBeAg阳性者,但HBeAg阴性CHB患者的肝脏组织病理学改变与HBeAg阳性者无差异。     

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。     

Profile of hepatitis B e antigen-negative chronic hepatitis B.

BACKGROUND: Although chronic hepatitis B occurs in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative patients, its prevalence and clinical significance are not known. AIM: To determine the prevalence and profile of HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 363 consecutive patients (mean age 36 y; 288 men) with chronic HBV infection was performed. All patients were HBsAg-positive. Tests for liver profile, HBeAg and anti-HBe antibody were performed in all patients. Serum HBV DNA was tested using branched DNA assay in 245 patients. The patients were classified into three groups: no cirrhosis with normal ALT levels, no cirrhosis with elevated ALT levels, and clinical or histological evidence of cirrhosis. RESULTS: Of 363 patients, 141 (39%) were HBeAg-positive and 222 (61%) HBeAg-negative. Of HBeAg-negative patients, 120 (54%) had normal ALT, 45 (20%) had elevated ALT and 57 (26%) had evidence of cirrhosis; corresponding figures in the HBeAg-positive patients were 40 (28%), 66 (47%) and 35 (25%). HBV DNA was positive in 53 of 131 (40%) HBeAg-negative patients tested; of these 53 patients, 9 (17%) had normal ALT, 20 (38%) had elevated ALT and 24 (45%) had cirrhosis. Thus, 72% of HBeAg-positive and 46% of HBeAg-negative patients had elevated ALT and/or cirrhosis. Among the latter group, 83% of HBV DNA-positive patients had elevated ALT and/or cirrhosis. Overall, 18% of HBsAg-positive patients had HBeAg-negative, HBV DNA-positive liver disease. CONCLUSION: HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B is not an uncommon and benign entity and chronic liver disease develops in a significant proportion of such patients.     

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。     

Basal core-promoter mutant of hepatitis B virus and progression of liver disease in hepatitis B e antigen-negative chronic hepatitis B.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The long-term outcomes in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative chronic hepatitis B are distinct from those in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis. However, the molecular virological factors that contribute to the progression of liver disease in this special clinical setting remain largely unknown. We thus investigated the association of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes as well as precore/basal core-promoter mutations with the clinical and virological characteristics of patients with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B in Taiwan. METHODS: HBV genotypes and sequences of precore and basal core-promoter regions of the HBV genome were determined in 174 HBeAg-negative chronic HBV infection patients including 62 inactive carriers and 112 with different stages of liver disease. RESULTS: HBV carriers with older age (> 50 years) (odds ratio, 9.09; 95% confidence interval (CI), 3.22-25, P < 0.001) and basal core-promoter mutant of HBV (odds ratio, 4.12; 95% CI, 1.41-12.03, P = 0.01) were associated with the development of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The gender-related risk factors associated with the development of liver cirrhosis and HCC were further analyzed, and basal core-promoter mutant was only associated with the development of liver cirrhosis and HCC in male carriers (odds ratio, 4.35; 95% CI, 1.30-14.52, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The risk of development of liver cirrhosis and HCC is significantly increased in patients with advanced age as well as with basal core-promoter mutant of HBV. In addition, basal core-promoter mutant might contribute to the gender difference of the progression of liver disease in HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B in Taiwan.     

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.     

HBV感染自然史研究进展

病毒复制与宿主免疫之间的动态平衡在HBV感染自然史进展和发病机制中起重要作用。多数免疫能力正常的成人感染HBV后呈自限性,而在婴幼儿则多发展成为慢性HBV感染。慢性HBV感染分为4期：免疫耐受期、HBeAg阳性慢性肝炎期、非复制的HBsAg携带期和HBeAg阴性慢性肝炎期。HBVDNA水平、HBeAg的状态以及ALT水平可以预测HBV感染的长期结局如肝硬化或肝细胞癌。本文对HBV感染自然史分期、慢性HBV感染的结局和预后进行了综述。     

Incidence and clinical significance of hepatitis B virus precore gene translation initiation mutations in e antigen-negative patients

Hepatitis Be antigen (HBeAg)-negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) variants harbouring changes in the precore region. Most commonly, a G to A point mutation at nucleotide 1896 (m1896) creates a novel translation stop codon that prevents HBeAg production. In the Mediterranean region the m1896 mutation prevails in greater than 98% of HBeAg-negative CHB patients. In this study the prevalence of additional mutations in the precore region was investigated among patients with chronic HBV infection. Precore sequences were determined by sequencing serum HBV DNA amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with primers flanking the precore/core region. Thirty-one HBeAg-negative and five HBeAg-positive individuals were studied. All HBeAg-negative patients (100%) harboured the m1896 mutation and 20 (64.5%) also had a G to A mutation at nucleotide 1899 (m1899). Additional mutations affecting the translation initiation of the precore gene were found in seven (22.5%) patients, all with active liver disease, five of whom had episodes of HBV reactivation. HBeAg-positive patients had no mutations in these positions and neither did any of the five HBeAg-negative patients with normal levels of liver enzymes, representing the healthy carrier state of HBV infection. Serial sample analysis from one patient revealed that the initiation codon mutation developed following HBeAg seroconversion and the appearance of m1896. During periods of high HBV replication, the ratio of mutant to wild-type ATG was found to increase in parallel with HBV DNA levels. These data show that a significant proportion of HBeAg-negative patients who already harbour the 1896 stop codon mutation may subsequently develop precore translation initiation mutations, which appear to be associated with enhanced HBV replication and severe liver disease.