CAJ | 학술논문

AIM: To investigate the association of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype and HBeAg seroconversion after nucleotide analogue treatment.METHODS: Chronic hepatitis B patients receiving lamivudine followed up for at least 6 months post-treatment were studied. Consecutive treatment-naive patients who were prospectively followed up in the clinic for at least 18 months were studied as controls. HBeAg seroconversion was defined as loss of HBeAg, appearance of anti-HBe and normalization of alanine aminotransferase for at least 6 months.RESULTS: Thirty-five patients on lamivudine and 96 control patients followed up for 39 (18-49) months were studied.Lamivudine was given for 12 (10-18) months, and patients were followed up for 15 (6-34) months after drug cessation.Genotype B and C HBV were found in 43 and 88 patients and HBeAg seroconversion occurred in 12 (28 %) and 16(18 %) patients, respectively (P=0.30). There was no difference in HBeAg seroconversion between patients infected by genotype B and C HBV in the control (35 % vs 21%, P=0.25) and lamivudine-treated (14 % vs 10 %,P=1.00) groups.CONCLUSION: HBeAg seroconversion after treatment by lamivudine was not influenced by the HBV genotype.