OBJECTIVETo investigate the distribution of HBV genotypes in Changzhou area and to clarify the genotype-related difference in the liver function, the level of HBV DNA and the long-term effect of lamivudine in the pathogenicity of HBV.

METHODSNested PCR and sequence analysis were conducted in 14 acute hepatitis (AH), 104 chronic hepatitis (CH), and 28 liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma (LC/HCC) patients.

RESULTSOne hundred and forty six samples were positive for HBV DNA, and 51 samples were classified as genotype B (34.9%), 95 samples were classified as genotype C, serum ALT value was 383.8 +/- 335.7 IU in patients with HBV genotypes B, and 364.3 +/- 333.7 IU in genotypes C, HBV DNA value was 10(7.795 +/- 1.22) copies/ml in genotypes B and 10(7.69 +/0- 1.19) copies/ml in genotypes C, and there were 36 and 64 HBeAg positive cases in patients with genotypes B and C; there were no significant difference on the level of ALT, HBV DNA and the expression of HBeAg (P>0.05), but genotype C in LC/HCC was higher than CH (P<0.01). Twenty three genotype B and forty five genotype C patients received lamivudine treatment, after 48 weeks, 18 genotype B and 14 genotype C patients had higher ALT or HBV DNA positive.

CONCLUSIONSThese results indicate that genotype B and C existing Changzhou area; genotype C is associated with the development of severe liver disease and better therapeutic effect could be obtained in the patients with genotype C.