Abstract
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.
Highlights
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication is dependent on the activity of its reverse transcriptase, an errorprone enzyme, which results in the accumulation of genomic mutations
The Study During January 2008–December 2012, we reviewed the clinical and virologic data for 1,224 treatment-naive patients with chronic hepatitis B who were referred to our clinic at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan, from all parts of Taiwan for pretreatment evaluation
Multivariate analysis showed that patient age and changes in the prevalence of HBV e antigen (HBeAg) were independent of each other
Summary
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication is dependent on the activity of its reverse transcriptase, an errorprone enzyme, which results in the accumulation of genomic mutations. The Study During January 2008–December 2012, we reviewed the clinical and virologic data for 1,224 treatment-naive patients with chronic hepatitis B who were referred to our clinic at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan, from all parts of Taiwan for pretreatment evaluation. No significant changes occurred in the prevalence of 9 of 10 basal core promoter mutations (online Technical Appendix Table 1, https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/EID/ article/23/5/16-1894-Techapp1.pdf).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
