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Kostaki EG, Karamitros T, Stefanou G, Mamais I, Angelis K, Hatzakis A, Kramvis A, Paraskevis D. Unravelling the history of hepatitis B virus genotypes A and D infection using a full-genome phylogenetic and phylogeographic approach. eLife 2018; 7:36709. [PMID: 30082021 PMCID: PMC6118819 DOI: 10.7554/elife.36709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 07/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection constitutes a global public health problem. In order to establish how HBV was disseminated across different geographic regions, we estimated the levels of regional clustering for genotypes D and A. We used 916 HBV-D and 493 HBV-A full-length sequences to reconstruct their global phylogeny. Phylogeographic analysis was conducted by the reconstruction of ancestral states using the criterion of parsimony. The putative origin of genotype D was in North Africa/Middle East. HBV-D sequences form low levels of regional clustering for the Middle East and Southern Europe. In contrast, HBV-A sequences form two major clusters, the first including sequences mostly from sub-Saharan Africa, and the second including sequences mostly from Western and Central Europe. Conclusion: We observed considerable differences in the global dissemination patterns of HBV-D and HBV-A and different levels of monophyletic clustering in relation to the regions of prevalence of each genotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evangelia-Georgia Kostaki
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical SchoolNational and Kapodistrian University of AthensAthensGreece
| | - Timokratis Karamitros
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical SchoolNational and Kapodistrian University of AthensAthensGreece
- Department of ZoologyUniversity of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Garyfallia Stefanou
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical SchoolNational and Kapodistrian University of AthensAthensGreece
| | - Ioannis Mamais
- Department of Health Sciences, School of SciencesEuropean University of CyprusNicosiaCyprus
| | - Konstantinos Angelis
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical SchoolNational and Kapodistrian University of AthensAthensGreece
| | - Angelos Hatzakis
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical SchoolNational and Kapodistrian University of AthensAthensGreece
| | - Anna Kramvis
- Hepatitis Virus Diversity Research Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Health ScienceUniversity of the WitwatersrandJohannesburgSouth Africa
| | - Dimitrios Paraskevis
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical SchoolNational and Kapodistrian University of AthensAthensGreece
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2
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Du W, Zheng Z, Han S, Ma S, Chen S. HBV reactivation in an occult HBV infection patient treated with prednisone for nephrotic syndrome: case report and literature review. BMC Infect Dis 2013; 13:394. [PMID: 23977980 PMCID: PMC3765334 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2334-13-394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2013] [Accepted: 08/21/2013] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV), characterized by increased levels of serum HBV DNA, abnormal liver function and hepatic failure, is a frequent complication of immunosuppressive therapy and chemotherapy in patients with HBV infection. However, reactivation of occult HBV infection with immunosuppressive therapy or chemotherapy is rare. Case presentation A 77-year-old man was diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome and IgM nephropathy with unclear pathogenesis. Liver function was normal, HBV-related serum markers were negative and HBV DNA titer was below the upper limits of normal. Two months following the start of prednisone therapy for his nephrotic syndrome, laboratory tests revealed a substantial increase in serum transaminase levels (ALT: 490 IU/L; AST: 149 IU/L) and an elevation of HBV DNA level (3.42×106 copies/ml). We tested stored kidney tissue for HBsAg and HBcAg using immunohistochemistry and found the sample to be HBcAg positive, allowing us to confirm the etiology of nephropathy as an occult HBV infection. The cause of the hepatitis was thought to be HBV reactivation, so we immediately administered lamivudine. One month after the initiation of daily lamivudine treatment, laboratory tests revealed that serum levels of transaminases had improved (ALT: 35 IU/L; AST: 17 IU/L). Patient examination one year later showed that HBeAg had decreased with a concomitant increase of HBeAb, the quantity of HBV DNA was undetectable, and liver function and renal function had stabilized. Conclusion This is the first report describing HBV reactivation in an occult HBV infection patient treated with oral prednisone for nephrotic syndrome. HBV-associated antigen should be regularly tested for in patients with unknown etiological glomerulonephritis in areas with high HBV viral popular and even in those with no clinical evidence for diagnosis of HBV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjun Du
- Department of Liver Disease, Jinan Infectious Disease Hospital, Shandong University School of Medicine, Jinan 250021, China
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3
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Alestig E, Söderström A, Norkrans G, Lindh M. Genetic diversity of genotype D3 in acute hepatitis B. J Med Virol 2013; 85:1148-54. [PMID: 23595803 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.23580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/06/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Acute hepatitis B related to injection drug use is often caused by HBV-D3, a subgenotype that probably was introduced in Western Europe in the 1960s. The aim of this study was to describe genetic change over time in injection drug use-related HBV-D3 in one geographic area. Fourteen complete genomes and partial genomic regions of 17 HBV strains of subgenotype D3 causing acute (n = 30) or chronic (n = 1) hepatitis B at different time points between 1975 and 2009 were investigated. The 14 complete genomes clustered in phylogenetic trees on a sub-branch of HBV-D3 along with a few published sequences with high bootstrap values. In contrast, the phylogenetic tree topology based on nucleotides coding for surface antigen or core was uncertain with bootstrap values below 70% or lower. Variation of nucleotides coding for amino acids 125, 136, and 143 in the a determinant of HBsAg was however linked to complete genome phylogeny, indicating that these codons might be useful as markers for clades. The results show that knowledge about circulating strains is critical for the interpretation of molecular epidemiology investigations. The low degree of genetic change over time of HBV-D3 in the studied groups suggests that outbreaks of acute hepatitis B in injection drug users might originate from a limited number of individuals with chronic infection. Classification based on core or S region phylogeny obtained poor support from bootstrap values, but the presence of clade-specific amino acid substitutions suggests that the S region may be useful for subgenomic molecular epidemiology of HBV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Alestig
- Department of Infection and Virology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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4
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Guidelines for the Detection of a Common Source of Hepatitis B Virus Infections. HEPATITIS MONTHLY 2011. [DOI: 10.5812/kowsar.1735143x.1009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
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Bracho MA, Gosalbes MJ, González F, Moya A, González-Candelas F. Molecular epidemiology and evolution in an outbreak of fulminant hepatitis B virus. J Clin Microbiol 2006; 44:1288-94. [PMID: 16597853 PMCID: PMC1448632 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.44.4.1288-1294.2006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2005] [Revised: 10/14/2005] [Accepted: 01/31/2006] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In order to establish the transmission pathway for two outbreak patients affected by fulminant hepatitis B (FHB) following a shared period of hospitalization, we sequenced the complete genomes of the hepatitis B viruses (HBV) isolated from them as well as from the suspected common source and 11 additional controls. Phylogenetic and statistical analyses of these sequences revealed that the two FHB patients were indeed infected by a common source and that the fatal development of the disease did not appear to be associated with any mutation previously reported to be related to FHB. These data have also allowed us to estimate the extent and distribution of genetic variability along the genomes of HBV genotype D samples from the same source population. As a result of these analyses, we provide an improved statistical method to individualize the assignment of each suspected patient and the source of an outbreak and information on which genome region to analyze in the molecular epidemiological assessment of hepatitis B virus transmission cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Alma Bracho
- Institut Cavanilles de Biodiversitat i Biologia Evolutiva, Universitat de València, Apartado 22085, 46071 València, Spain
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Jazayeri SM, Jazayeri M, Basuni AA, Sran N, Gish R, Cooksley G, Locarnini S, Carman WF. HBV core sequence: definition of genotype-specific variability and correlation with geographical origin. J Viral Hepat 2004; 11:488-501. [PMID: 15500549 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2893.2004.00534.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
There are eight genotypes and nine subtypes of HBV. Small differences in geographical origin are associated with sequence changes in the surface gene. Here, we compared core gene sequences from different genotypes and geographical regions. Specific combinations of 24 amino acid substitutions at nine residues allowed allocation of a sequence to a subtype. Six of these nine residues were located in different T cell epitopes depending on HBV geographical area and/or genotype. Thirty-seven nucleotide changes were associated uniquely with specific genotypes and subtypes. Unique amino acid and nucleotide variants were found in a majority of sequences from specific countries as well as within subtype ayw2 and adr. Specific nucleotide motifs were defined for Korean, Indian, Chinese, Italian and Pacific region isolates. Finally, we observed amino acid motifs that were common to either South-east Asian or Western populations, irrespective of subtype. We believe that HBV strains spread within constrained ethnic groups, result in selection pressures that define sequence variability within each subtype. It suggests that particular T cell epitopes are specific for geographical regions, and thus ethnic groups; this may affect the design of immunomodulatory therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Jazayeri
- Division of Virology, Institute of Biomedical and Life Science, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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Hallett RL, Ngui SL, Meigh RE, Mutton KJ, Boxall EH, Teo CG. Widespread dissemination in England of a stable and persistent hepatitis B virus variant. Clin Infect Dis 2004; 39:945-52. [PMID: 15472844 DOI: 10.1086/423962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2004] [Accepted: 05/11/2004] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Outbreaks of acute hepatitis B among inmates of 6 prisons in 3 regions of northern England occurring from 1992 through 1994 were found to be associated with a single hepatitis B virus (HBV) variant, which was carried by 20 of the 24 case patients. We instigated a study of cases of acute hepatitis B to trace the spread and prevalence of this variant. METHODS A denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis assay was optimized to detect the HBV variant, and cases of acute HBV infection in 3 regions in England occurring from 1990 through 1996 were screened for its presence. Samples from HBV-transmission incidents that were received for molecular investigation were also tested. RESULTS The variant was identified in 117 (41%) of the 266 cases of acute hepatitis examined in representative regions in England. In North Humberside, but not in southeast England or the West Midlands, a trend toward an increase in the prevalence of the variant was observed. Furthermore, the same variant was identified in the case patients or the individuals implicated in transmission in 11 (22%) of 51 transmission incidents occurring in England from 1997 through 2002. The spread of the variant was primarily associated with injection drug use. CONCLUSIONS The finding of a single, genetically identical variant (over the 600 bp sequenced) occupying a large niche among the circulating viruses was unexpected. This finding has major implications for the use of DNA sequencing analysis in the investigation of chains of transmission. The study also highlights the need for better protection of at-risk groups through vaccination against HBV, a strategy that currently achieves poor coverage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel L Hallett
- Sexually Transmitted and Blood Borne Virus Laboratory, Health Protection Agency Colindale, London, United Kingdom.
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8
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Hwang GY, Huang CJ, Lin CY, Wu CC. Dominant mutations of hepatitis B virus variants in hepatoma accumulate in B-cell and T-cell epitopes of the HBx antigen. Virus Res 2003; 92:157-64. [PMID: 12686424 DOI: 10.1016/s0168-1702(03)00043-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) X gene, encoding a pleotropic transactivator of HBx protein, has been associated with the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Molecular information on liver-derived HBV variants isolated from HCC among Taiwanese population was studied. Amplification of the HBV X genes of 20 HCC patients in high stringency with HBV specific primers was observed. The resulting amplified HBV X genes were purified and individually-cloned into pUC-T vector. Sequences of the eight liver-derived X gene were aligned and compared with the wild type, the ayw HBV serotype. Results indicate that the HBx protein of variants were found predominantly within the regions of amino acid positions 26-45 in N-terminus, and positions 87, 88, 116, 118, 119, 127 and 144. Sequences from six out of the eight variants were found to be identical. These accumulated sequence mutations among the eight HBx variants were found to coincide within the B-cell epitopes (positions 29-48), particularly in the HBx proline and serine rich (PSR) domain, and the T-cell epitopes regions (positions 116-127). These frequent mutations of HBV variants, rather than subtype-specific polymorphic sites, may be involved in immunoevasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guang-Yuh Hwang
- Department of Biology, Tunghai University, Sec. 3, 181 Chungkang Road, Taichung 40704, Taiwan, ROC.
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9
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Abstract
In 1988, it was reported that the full nucleotide sequences of 18 hepatitis B virus (HBV) strains clustered into four genetic groups (A to D) with more than 8% divergence between the groups. This classification of strains in terms of genome sequence has since proven to be an important tool in the understanding of HBV epidemiology and evolution and has been expanded to include three more genotypes. In parallel with the HBV genotypes described in humans, HBV strains isolated from different primates and hepadnaviruses found in woodchucks, ground squirrels, ducks and herons have been studied. Sequence differences between HBV genotypes can lead to structural differences at the level of the pregenome and can also lead to dramatic differences at the translational level when specific and commonly occurring mutations occur. There is increasing evidence that the clinical picture, the response to treatment and the long-term prognosis may differ depending on which genotype has infected the patient. The consideration of traditional serological patterns in a patient must therefore take the genotype of the infecting strain into account. Nucleotide variability between HBV strains has been used in several studies to trace routes of transmission and, since it is becoming increasingly clear that the differences between HBV genotypes are important, the need for reliable and easy methods of differentiating HBV genotypes has arisen. This review summarizes the knowledge of HBV genotypes with regard to their genetic, structural and clinically significant differences and their origin and evolution in the context of the hepadnaviruses in general.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yuzo Miyakawa
- Miyakawa Memorial Research Foundation, Tokyo 107-0062, Japan2
| | - Alistair H Kidd
- Department of Virology, University of Umeå, SE-901 85 Umeå, Sweden3
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Christensen PB, Krarup HB, Niesters HG, Norder H, Schaffalitzky de Muckadell OB, Jeune B, Georgsen J. Outbreak of Hepatitis B among injecting drug users in Denmark. J Clin Virol 2001; 22:133-41. [PMID: 11418361 DOI: 10.1016/s1386-6532(01)00175-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The incidence of hepatitis B is low in Denmark, but injecting drug users (IDUs) remains a high-risk group for this infection. OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to describe a hepatitis B outbreak among IDUs by comparing existing registers. Additionally, we wanted to analyze the genetic variation of the hepatitis B virus involved in the outbreak. STUDY DESIGN In the County of Funen, registers of laboratory diagnosis, hospital records and reports from clinicians to the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) were compared between 1992 and 1998. HBsAg positive sera recovered from the epidemic were sequenced and compared to known HBV strains. RESULTS We identified 648 cases of hepatitis B of which 51% (332) were acute infections. The laboratory database identified 96% (319/332) of these, 45% (150/332) were admitted to hospital and 38% (127/332) were reported to public health. By capture-recapture analysis based on MOH reports and hospital records the estimated total number of acute cases were 334 (95% C.I. 283-385). We sequenced 75 HBsAg positive samples and identified two very similar strains of genotype D (serotype ayw3) among IDUs involved in the outbreak. CONCLUSIONS The current surveillance system did not detect the majority of acute hepatitis B cases in County of Funen. We suggest laboratory-based surveillance of hepatitis B to be implemented at a national level as this may identify new outbreaks faster and more complete than the current surveillance system.
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Affiliation(s)
- P B Christensen
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Odense University Hospital, 500, Odense, Denmark.
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Bläckberg J, Kidd-Ljunggren K. Occult hepatitis B virus after acute self-limited infection persisting for 30 years without sequence variation. J Hepatol 2000; 33:992-7. [PMID: 11131464 DOI: 10.1016/s0168-8278(00)80134-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS After acute self-limited hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, serological loss of viral antigens and appearance of anti-HBs is generally believed to signify viral clearance. Latent and occult HBV infection appearing decades after self-limited hepatitis B has not been reported, nor has the evolutionary rate of HBV DNA over the same observation period. METHODS DNA from serum and leukocytes from 16 patients with acute self-limited hepatitis B 30 years earlier was tested by polymerase chain reaction and positive samples were sequenced. Liver tissue from four patients was also tested. Additionally, another 10 HBV strains isolated from acute HBV cases in 1969-72 were compared to 11 strains isolated from acute cases in 1998-99 in the same community. RESULTS HBV DNA was detected in liver from two patients, but not in serum or leukocytes. The HBV strains detected in liver showed complete homology, in the sequences analyzed, to the strains originally infecting these patients. Ten strains from 1998-99 were identical in pre-S and core promoter/precore regions to strains from the same community isolated 30 years earlier. CONCLUSIONS HBV can persist as an occult infection three decades after acute, apparently self-limited hepatitis B, and both the mutation and evolutionary rates of HBV DNA are low.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Bläckberg
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Lund University, Sweden
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12
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Abstract
The emergence of hepatitis B virus genetic variants occurs under the influence of host immunity, immunization, the use of immune globulin or antiviral chemotherapy. Most of these are probably the result of the 'immune escape' phenomenon. Some variants, in particular those in the precore and core promoter regions, have been associated with disease severity and progression. Surface antigen variants have implications for the accuracy of laboratory diagnosis and may reduce the effectiveness of vaccination. Polymerase variants are selected as a result of the use of antiviral chemotherapeutic agents. It is important to monitor the occurrence of these variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- C.Y. William Tong
- Virology Section, Department of Infection, St Thomas Hospital, London, UK
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Wedemeyer H, Böker KH, Pethig K, Petzold DR, Flemming P, Tillmann HL, Vollmar J, Bastürk M, Goldmann E, Griffin KE, Haverich A, Manns MP. Famciclovir treatment of chronic hepatitis B in heart transplant recipients: a prospective trial. Transplantation 1999; 68:1503-11. [PMID: 10589947 DOI: 10.1097/00007890-199911270-00013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Hepatitis B may take a rapid and aggressive course in patients under immunosuppression. Nucleoside analogues have been shown to suppress viral replication effectively. To investigate the effect of famciclovir in immunosuppressed patients, 21 heart transplant recipients with chronic hepatitis B infection were included in a prospective study. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients have been treated with Famciclovir for a median of 14 months. Hepatitis B virus replication and biochemical parameters were regularly tested and liver biopsies were taken before treatment and after a median time of 7 months. HBV-polymerase was sequenced in all patients before therapy and in those patients who experienced virological breakthrough. RESULTS Nineteen patients were treated for at least 6 months. Hepatitis B virus-DNA levels declined in all patients and became negative in 8 patients. Mean hepatitis B virus-DNA levels decreased from 199+/-269 to 34+/-53 pg/ml after 24 weeks (P=0.003). During treatment HBeAg became negative in five patients. Mean alanine aminotransferase decreased from 42+/-26 to 24+/-10 U/L (P=0.006). Histological analysis revealed improved inflammatory activity according to the Ishak-score in 11/16 (69%) patients. Total inflammatory activity scores decreased from 8 to 6 (median, NS), but interface hepatitis score (P=0.02) and lobular inflammation score (P=0.006) improved significantly. Median fibrosis scores fell from 5 to 3 (P=0.002). Three patients developed virological breakthrough on famciclovir after 7, 8, and 26 months of treatment showing HBV-polymerase amino acid changes L528 M, S567A, and I581K, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Famciclovir improves not only biochemical and virological features but also hepatic inflammation and liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B under heavy immunosuppression. Virological breakthrough may develop and requires close monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Wedemeyer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Germany
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