Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes have distinct geographical distributions, and have been shown to differ with regard to clinical outcome and prognosis. However, the relationship between HBV genotypes and liver cirrhosis remains controversial and no study on exploring the association between HBV genotypes and subclinical cirrhosis in community-based population has been reported.
A research article to be published on January 21, 2010 in the World Journal of Gastroenterology addresses this question. The research team led by Prof. Cao from Department of Epidemiology, Second Military Medical University performed a large epidemiological study with 10 167 community-based residents at the age between 6 and 72 years in Eastern China. After excluding the subjects co-infected with hepatitis C or hepatitis D viruses, the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive subjects were examined for HBV genotype, serum viral load, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) status, and ultrasonographic changes. Logistic regression models were used to determine the factors independently associated with probable cirrhosis.