Problems with the variants or quasi-species of the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) in treatment

Abstract

The HBV genome has a very high mutation rate, which is why it is considered a highly variable virus, being able to produce different variants or quasi-species in the same host, differentiated by small mutations that favor the oncogenic potential of the virus, in addition to attenuating the immunogenicity and antigenicity. There are a large number of epidemiological findings and studies that suggest a relationship between genotypes and pre-core / core variants of the hepatitis B virus with the clinical course of infection and the response to different antiviral treatments.