Molecular epidemiology of hepatitis B virus
Journal
Korean Journal of Internal Medicine
Journal Volume
26
Journal Issue
3
Pages
255-261
Date Issued
2011
Author(s)
Abstract
Although safe and effective vaccines for hepatitis B virus (HBV) have been available for nearly three decades, this virus kills at least 600,000 people annually worldwide and remains the leading global cause of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Because the HBV reverse transcriptase lacks a proofreading function, many HBV genotypes, subgenotypes, mutants, and recombinants exist. At least 10 HBV genotypes (HBV-A through J) with distinct geographic distributions have been identified; by definition, their complete genomic sequences diverge by more than 8%. HBV genotype is increasingly becoming recognized as an important factor in the progression and clinical outcome of HBV- induced disease. Infections by HBV-C or -D are significantly more likely to lead to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma than are infections by HBV-A or -B. Additionally, the hepatitis B e antigen seroconversion response to standard or pegylated interferon is more favorable in patients with HBV-A or -B than in those with HBV-C or -D. However, therapeutic responses to nucleos(t)ide analogues are generally comparable among HBV genotypes. In conclusion, genotyping of HBV is useful in identifying chronic hepatitis B patients who are at increased risk of disease progression, thereby enabling physicians to optimize antiviral therapy for these patients. ? 2011 The Korean Association of Internal Medicine.
Subjects
Antiviral agents; Genotype; Hepatitis B virus; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Molecular epidemiology
SDGs
Other Subjects
adefovir dipivoxil; alpha interferon; entecavir; hepatitis B surface antigen; hepatitis B(e) antigen; lamivudine; peginterferon alpha; RNA directed DNA polymerase; telbivudine; tenofovir disoproxil; article; cancer incidence; cancer risk; disease association; disease course; disease severity; drug efficacy; drug safety; gene sequence; genomics; genotype; geographic distribution; hepatitis B; Hepatitis B virus; high risk population; human; infection risk; liver cell carcinoma; liver cell damage; liver cirrhosis; molecular epidemiology; nonhuman; pathogenesis; prevalence; risk factor; seroconversion; treatment response; virus mutant; virus recombinant; virus resistance; virus strain; virus transmission; Antiviral Agents; Drug Resistance, Viral; Genotype; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis B virus; Humans; Molecular Epidemiology; Phenotype; Prognosis
Type
journal article