ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes may differ in pathogenicity. However, the interplay between different virus characteristics such as genotypes, mutants and virus loads has not been well studied . We investigated the association between HBV genotype, presence of 1896 precore mutation and HBV viral loads in patients with HBV-related liver disease. METHODS: One hundred and sixteen HBV DNA-seropositive patients attending a gastroenterology outpatient clinic and 107 HBV DNA-seropositive blood donors were recruited. The subjects were stratified as those with normal (Group I, n=164) and elevated (Group II, n=59) ALT levels. The HBV genotype and the presence of the 1896 precore mutation were determined, and plasma HBV DNA levels measured. RESULTS: Genotype C was more common in Group II than in Group I (10 (17%) vs. 4 (2.4%); p< 0.005). There was no relationship between the 1896 precore mutation and the HBV DNA levels. Subjects with genotype C (n=14) had higher HBV DNA levels than those with genotypes A (n=33) or D (n=158). CONCLUSIONS: The infecting genotype, but not the presence of 1896 precore mutation, correlates with HBV load. The association of genotype C with higher virus loads and with elevated ALT may point to a greater pathogenicity of this genotype.