Naturally occurring precore/core region mutations of hepatitis B virus genotype C related to hepatocellular carcinoma.

ABSTRACT: Previous studies have proved the presence of several distinct types of mutations in hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections, which are related to the progression of liver disease. However, few reports have detailed the mutation frequencies and mutation patterns in the precore/core (preC/C) region, which are based on the clinical status and HBeAg serostatus. Our aim in this study is to investigate the relationships between the preC/C mutations and clinical severity or HBeAg serostatus from patients chronically infected with HBV genotype C. A total of 70 Korean chronic patients, including 35 with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), participated in this study. HBV genotyping and precore/core mutations were analyzed by direct sequencing. All patients were confirmed to have genotype C infections. Mutati

SUBMITTER: Kim DW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3468518 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature