Genotype C Is Associated With More Severe Liver Fibrosis Than Genotype B

Hepatitis B Virus Genotype C Is Associated With More Severe Liver Fibrosis Than Genotype B


Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology Dec 2009

Henry Lik–Yuen ChanCorresponding Author Informationemail address, Grace Lai–Hung Wong, Chi–Hang Tse, Angel Mei–Ling Chim, Karen Kar–Lum Yiu, Hoi–Yun Chan, Joseph Jao–Yiu Sung, Vincent Wai–Sun Wong

ABSTRACT

Background & Aims


Histologic analyses of liver fibrosis have been limited by small sample sizes and the predominance of samples from patients with active hepatitis.

Methods


We performed a prospective study of transient elastography in treatment-naive patients with chronic hepatitis B, to investigate the relationship between hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype and liver fibrosis. A validated liver stiffness measurement algorithm was used to define insignificant fibrosis and advanced fibrosis.

Results


Of 1106 patients, 711 (64%) were older than age 40, 370 (34%) had positive test results for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), and 386 (35%) had increased serum levels of alanine aminotransferase. Of the patients, 524 (49%) had genotype B and 582 (51%) had genotype C HBV infection. Patients with genotype C infection had insignificant fibrosis less often (42% vs 55%; P < .0001) and advanced fibrosis more often (25% vs 19%; P = .015) than those infected with genotype B HBV. The difference in the severity of liver fibrosis between the 2 HBV genotypes was most marked among patients older than age 40 and those who tested negative for HBeAg. The mean age of patients infected by genotype C was greater than that of patients infected by genotype B HBV (41 vs 36 y). Among patients who were older than age 40 and tested negative for HBeAg, those with genotype C infection had higher levels of HBV DNA and alanine aminotransferase than those with genotype B HBV.

Conclusions


Genotype C HBV was associated with more severe liver fibrosis than genotype B HBV, probably because of delayed HBeAg seroconversion and prolonged active disease.