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- Title
Characterization of hepatitis B virus genotypes and quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen titres in North American tertiary referral liver centres.
- Authors
Congly, Stephen E.; Wong, Philip; Al‐Busafi, Said A.; Doucette, Karen; Fung, Scott K.; Ghali, Peter; Fonseca, Kevin; Myers, Robert P.; Osiowy, Carla; Coffin, Carla S.
- Abstract
Background & Aims Hepatitis B virus ( HBV) genotype and quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen ( qHBsAg) have been related to clinical outcome. In this nationwide cross-sectional study, we aimed to investigate the epidemiology and clinical significance of HBV genotype and qHBsAg in patients with chronic hepatitis B ( CHB). Methods Six hundred and thirty patients with CHB were seen in four urban tertiary referral centres in Canada. HBV genotype was determined by line probe assay (INNO-LIPA) and HBV DNA quantified by commercial PCR (Roche TaqMan, sensitivity <55 IU/ml or AMPLICOR, sensitivity <60 IU/ml). Titres of qHBsAg were determined by an in-house assay based on the WHO standard (calibration range 0.24-62.5 IU/ml). Results In 630 patients (57% male, 69% Asian, median age 42 years), 21% were hepatitis B e antigen positive and the median alanine aminotransferase was 29 U/L. The HBV genotype distribution was A (16%), B (29%), C (31%), D (16%), E (6%). HBV genotype was strongly associated with ethnicity, but neither genotype nor qHBsAg correlated with the degree of fibrosis. In the treatment-naïve patients, the baseline qHBsAg levels correlated with HBV DNA ( r = 0.2517, P < 0.0008). The median qHBsAg levels were lowest in patients with genotype B ( P < 0.0001), but no significant correlation was noted with all other HBV genotypes. Conclusions In this large North American HBV epidemiological study, genotypes B and C were the most common; however, all genotypes (A-E) were observed with varied distribution nationwide. Baseline qHBsAg significantly correlated with HBV DNA and with HBV genotype B, but not with liver fibrosis.
- Subjects
HEPATITIS B virus; CELL surface antigens; CROSS-sectional method; EPIDEMIOLOGY; ALANINE aminotransferase; FIBROSIS
- Publication
Liver International, 2013, Vol 33, Issue 9, p1363
- ISSN
1478-3223
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/liv.12222