Hepatitis B virus genotypes and spontaneous hepatitis B e antigen seroconversion in Taiwanese hepatitis B carriers

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is classified into eight genotypes (A–H), and genotype C is associated with more aggressive liver disease compared to genotype B. However, the mechanisms responsible for the clinical differences remain unclear. To test whether genotype C patients had with lower rates of spontaneous hepatitis B ge antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion than genotype B patients, stored serum samples from 146 Taiwanese adult HBeAg‐positive hepatitis B carriers followed‐up for a mean of 52 months (range, 12–120 months) were tested for HBV genotype by a molecular method. Genotype C patients were significantly older than genotype B patients (mean age, 37 ± 12 vs. 29 ± 10 years, P  < 0.001). During the follow‐up period, genotype C patients had a significantly lower rate of spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion than genotype B patients (27 vs. 47%, P  < 0.025). Spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion occurred one decade later in genotype C patients compared with genotype B patients. Multivariate analyses identified age ≤35 years (odds ratio: 2.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07–4.0; P  < 0.05), high baseline serum alanine aminotransferase level (odds ratio: 2.34; 95%CI, 1.39–4.09; P  < 0.005), and HBV genotype B (odds ratio: 1.94; 95%CI, 1.03–3.63; P  < 0.05) as independent factors associated with spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion. In conclusion, genotype C patients, compared to genotype B patients, have a delayed HBeAg seroconversion in the immune clearance phase of chronic HBV infection, which may contribute to a more progressive liver disease and more refractory to antiviral therapy. J. Med. Virol. 72:363–369, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.