Phenotypic and Genotypic Shifts in Hepatitis B Virus in Treatment-Naive Patients, Taiwan, 2008-2012

Emerg Infect Dis. 2017 May;23(5):820-821. doi: 10.3201/eid2305.161894.

Abstract

We examined the characteristic changes of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in antiviral drug treatment-naive patients referred for pretreatment evaluation in Taiwan during 2008-2012. Over time, we observed substantial decreases in the prevalence of HBV e antigen (HBeAg) and increasing prevalence of the precore G1899A mutation and HBV-DNA levels in HBeAg-positive patients.

Keywords: Taiwan; genotype; hepatitis B virus; phenotype; shifts; treatment-naive patients; viruses.

Publication types

  • Historical Article
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers
  • Female
  • Genes, Viral
  • Genotype*
  • Hepatitis B / epidemiology*
  • Hepatitis B / history
  • Hepatitis B / virology*
  • Hepatitis B virus / drug effects
  • Hepatitis B virus / genetics*
  • History, 21st Century
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mutation
  • Phenotype*
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Taiwan / epidemiology

Substances

  • Biomarkers