Comparison of sequence changes of precore and core promoter regions in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients with and without HBeAg clearance in lamivudine therapy

Background/Aims: The aim of this study was to compare the serial sequence changes of precore and core promoter regions in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with and without HBeAg clearance in lamivudine treatment. Methods: Precore and core promoter genes of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) were sequenced from five serial serum samples of 74 HBeAg-positive CHB patients received lamivudine for 9-12 months (34 complete responders and 40 non-responders). Conclusions: T1762/A1764 mutation (not A1896) played an important role in lamivudine-induced HBeAg clearance. Moreover, T1773, C1802, G1803, T1846, A1850, and C1858 mutations might have significant correlation with HBeAg nonseroconversion. (c) 2005 European Association for the Study of the Liver. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.