Naturally Occurring Deletions/Insertions in HBV Core Promoter Tend to Decrease in Hepatitis B e Antigen-Positive Chronic Hepatitis B Patients during Antiviral Therapy

Abstract

Naturally occurring complex of CP Del/Ins mutants existed in untreated HBeAg-positive CHB patients. These mutations would affect HBV transcription activities and integrity of HBx, which might correlate with disease progression. Their prevalence decreases on antiviral therapy in parallel with the decline in HBV DNA, HBsAg and ALT and AST levels.