| Theme | Hepatitis B Update 2004 | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Clinical Impact of HBV Genotypes | |
| Publish Date | 2004/10 | |
| Author | Kei Fujiwara | Department of Internal Medicine and Molecular Science and Department of Clinical Molecular Informative Medicine, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences |
| Author | Masashi Mizokami | Department of Clinical Molecular Informative Medicine, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences |
| [ Summary ] | Since the time when the Australian antigen was discovered in 1964, through the decades of serotype, hepatitis B virus (HBV) is now classified by genotype. Each genotype has its regional and virological differences. Recently, clinical differences in genotypes have been reported. For example, there are reports that patients with the HBV genotype B have lower rates of HB e antigen positivity, lower rates of core promoter mutations, and better prognoses than those with HBV genotype C. Also, in Asian countries, two subtypes of HBV genotype B, designated Ba (a standing for Asia) and Bj (j for Japan) have been reported. Subtype Ba has recombination with genotype C in the core promoter to core region, but subtype BJ does not. In addition clinical differences between patients infected with HBV subtype Ba and HBV subtype Bj are being recognized. In the same way, the two subtypes of genotype A have now been reported. Other genotypes may have specific characteristics. It is essential to collect more information on HBV genotypes from all over the world to reach a decision on their clinical utility. |
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