Hepatitis B virus genotypes, precore and core promoter variants among predominan

[Guest guest]

Liver International

Volume 26 Page 796 - September 2006

doi:10.1111/j.1478-3231.2006.01297.x

Volume 26 Issue 7

Clinical Studies

Hepatitis B virus genotypes, precore and core promoter variants among

predominantly Asian patients with chronic HBV infection in a Canadian center

K. Fung1,2, Florence S. H. Wong1, K. H. Wong1, Munira T.

Hussain2 and S. F. Lok2

Fung SK, Wong FSH, Wong DKH, Hussain MT, Lok ASF. Hepatitis B virus

genotypes, precore and core promoter variants among predominantly Asian

patients with chronic HBV infection in a Canadian center.

Liver International 2006: 26: 796–804.

© 2006 The Author. Journal compilation © 2006 Blackwell Munksgaard

Abstract: Background and Aims: The epidemiology of hepatitis B virus (HBV)

infection in North America may be changing as a result of immigration from

endemic countries. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence

of HBV genotypes, precore (PC) and core promoter (CP) variants, and the

proportion of patients meeting treatment criteria for HBV.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of consecutive HBV patients attending a

Canadian tertiary liver center was conducted. HBV DNA was quantified by

polymerase chain reaction assay. HBV genotypes and variants were determined

using a line probe assay.

Results: Two hundred and seventy-two patients were enrolled; 200 were not

receiving treatment at enrollment, of whom 116 were men and 84 women with a

mean age 42±14 years. Among this group, 177 (88%) patients were Asian and 19

(10%) were Caucasian and 69 (35%) patients were hepatitis B e antigen

(HBeAg) positive. Genotypes B and C were found in 42% and 50% untreated

patients, respectively; while CP and PC were detected in 52% and 43%

patients, respectively. Approximately 20% patients not receiving treatment

(29% HBeAg positive, 14% HBeAg negative) met AASLD guidelines for antiviral

therapy. If lower cutoff values for alanine aminotransferase and HBV DNA

levels were used, 49% patients would qualify for treatment.

Conclusions: The vast majority of patients at a Canadian tertiary referral

center were Asian. Virological and clinical characteristics of these

patients reflect their country of origin. Our findings highlight the need to

monitor the changing patterns of HBV infection in countries with large

immigrant populations.

_________________________________________________________________

Is your PC infected? Get a FREE online computer virus scan from McAfee®

Security. http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963

[Guest guest]

Liver International

Volume 26 Page 796 - September 2006

doi:10.1111/j.1478-3231.2006.01297.x

Volume 26 Issue 7

Clinical Studies

Hepatitis B virus genotypes, precore and core promoter variants among

predominantly Asian patients with chronic HBV infection in a Canadian center

K. Fung1,2, Florence S. H. Wong1, K. H. Wong1, Munira T.

Hussain2 and S. F. Lok2

Fung SK, Wong FSH, Wong DKH, Hussain MT, Lok ASF. Hepatitis B virus

genotypes, precore and core promoter variants among predominantly Asian

patients with chronic HBV infection in a Canadian center.

Liver International 2006: 26: 796–804.

© 2006 The Author. Journal compilation © 2006 Blackwell Munksgaard

Abstract: Background and Aims: The epidemiology of hepatitis B virus (HBV)

infection in North America may be changing as a result of immigration from

endemic countries. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence

of HBV genotypes, precore (PC) and core promoter (CP) variants, and the

proportion of patients meeting treatment criteria for HBV.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of consecutive HBV patients attending a

Canadian tertiary liver center was conducted. HBV DNA was quantified by

polymerase chain reaction assay. HBV genotypes and variants were determined

using a line probe assay.

Results: Two hundred and seventy-two patients were enrolled; 200 were not

receiving treatment at enrollment, of whom 116 were men and 84 women with a

mean age 42±14 years. Among this group, 177 (88%) patients were Asian and 19

(10%) were Caucasian and 69 (35%) patients were hepatitis B e antigen

(HBeAg) positive. Genotypes B and C were found in 42% and 50% untreated

patients, respectively; while CP and PC were detected in 52% and 43%

patients, respectively. Approximately 20% patients not receiving treatment

(29% HBeAg positive, 14% HBeAg negative) met AASLD guidelines for antiviral

therapy. If lower cutoff values for alanine aminotransferase and HBV DNA

levels were used, 49% patients would qualify for treatment.

Conclusions: The vast majority of patients at a Canadian tertiary referral

center were Asian. Virological and clinical characteristics of these

patients reflect their country of origin. Our findings highlight the need to

monitor the changing patterns of HBV infection in countries with large

immigrant populations.

_________________________________________________________________

Is your PC infected? Get a FREE online computer virus scan from McAfee®

Security. http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963

[Guest guest]

Liver International

Volume 26 Page 796 - September 2006

doi:10.1111/j.1478-3231.2006.01297.x

Volume 26 Issue 7

Clinical Studies

Hepatitis B virus genotypes, precore and core promoter variants among

predominantly Asian patients with chronic HBV infection in a Canadian center

K. Fung1,2, Florence S. H. Wong1, K. H. Wong1, Munira T.

Hussain2 and S. F. Lok2

Fung SK, Wong FSH, Wong DKH, Hussain MT, Lok ASF. Hepatitis B virus

genotypes, precore and core promoter variants among predominantly Asian

patients with chronic HBV infection in a Canadian center.

Liver International 2006: 26: 796–804.

© 2006 The Author. Journal compilation © 2006 Blackwell Munksgaard

Abstract: Background and Aims: The epidemiology of hepatitis B virus (HBV)

infection in North America may be changing as a result of immigration from

endemic countries. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence

of HBV genotypes, precore (PC) and core promoter (CP) variants, and the

proportion of patients meeting treatment criteria for HBV.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of consecutive HBV patients attending a

Canadian tertiary liver center was conducted. HBV DNA was quantified by

polymerase chain reaction assay. HBV genotypes and variants were determined

using a line probe assay.

Results: Two hundred and seventy-two patients were enrolled; 200 were not

receiving treatment at enrollment, of whom 116 were men and 84 women with a

mean age 42±14 years. Among this group, 177 (88%) patients were Asian and 19

(10%) were Caucasian and 69 (35%) patients were hepatitis B e antigen

(HBeAg) positive. Genotypes B and C were found in 42% and 50% untreated

patients, respectively; while CP and PC were detected in 52% and 43%

patients, respectively. Approximately 20% patients not receiving treatment

(29% HBeAg positive, 14% HBeAg negative) met AASLD guidelines for antiviral

therapy. If lower cutoff values for alanine aminotransferase and HBV DNA

levels were used, 49% patients would qualify for treatment.

Conclusions: The vast majority of patients at a Canadian tertiary referral

center were Asian. Virological and clinical characteristics of these

patients reflect their country of origin. Our findings highlight the need to

monitor the changing patterns of HBV infection in countries with large

immigrant populations.

_________________________________________________________________

Is your PC infected? Get a FREE online computer virus scan from McAfee®

Security. http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963

[Guest guest]

Liver International

Volume 26 Page 796 - September 2006

doi:10.1111/j.1478-3231.2006.01297.x

Volume 26 Issue 7

Clinical Studies

Hepatitis B virus genotypes, precore and core promoter variants among

predominantly Asian patients with chronic HBV infection in a Canadian center

K. Fung1,2, Florence S. H. Wong1, K. H. Wong1, Munira T.

Hussain2 and S. F. Lok2

Fung SK, Wong FSH, Wong DKH, Hussain MT, Lok ASF. Hepatitis B virus

genotypes, precore and core promoter variants among predominantly Asian

patients with chronic HBV infection in a Canadian center.

Liver International 2006: 26: 796–804.

© 2006 The Author. Journal compilation © 2006 Blackwell Munksgaard

Abstract: Background and Aims: The epidemiology of hepatitis B virus (HBV)

infection in North America may be changing as a result of immigration from

endemic countries. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence

of HBV genotypes, precore (PC) and core promoter (CP) variants, and the

proportion of patients meeting treatment criteria for HBV.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of consecutive HBV patients attending a

Canadian tertiary liver center was conducted. HBV DNA was quantified by

polymerase chain reaction assay. HBV genotypes and variants were determined

using a line probe assay.

Results: Two hundred and seventy-two patients were enrolled; 200 were not

receiving treatment at enrollment, of whom 116 were men and 84 women with a

mean age 42±14 years. Among this group, 177 (88%) patients were Asian and 19

(10%) were Caucasian and 69 (35%) patients were hepatitis B e antigen

(HBeAg) positive. Genotypes B and C were found in 42% and 50% untreated

patients, respectively; while CP and PC were detected in 52% and 43%

patients, respectively. Approximately 20% patients not receiving treatment

(29% HBeAg positive, 14% HBeAg negative) met AASLD guidelines for antiviral

therapy. If lower cutoff values for alanine aminotransferase and HBV DNA

levels were used, 49% patients would qualify for treatment.

Conclusions: The vast majority of patients at a Canadian tertiary referral

center were Asian. Virological and clinical characteristics of these

patients reflect their country of origin. Our findings highlight the need to

monitor the changing patterns of HBV infection in countries with large

immigrant populations.

_________________________________________________________________

Is your PC infected? Get a FREE online computer virus scan from McAfee®

Security. http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963