Antiviral therapy against chronic hepatitis B in Brazil: high rates of lamivudine resistance mutations and correlation with HBV genotypes

Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz. 2012 May;107(3):317-25. doi: 10.1590/s0074-02762012000300005.

Abstract

The effectiveness of antiviral treatments of chronic hepatitis B has been poorly studied in Brazil. Here, hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA positivity, drug resistance mutations and their association with HBV genotypes were evaluated in chronically HBV-infected patients under different drug regimens in Brazil. The study involved 129 patients under interferon or nucleos(t)ide analogue therapy for a median treatment time of 12 months. One hundred and five (81%) of these patients were treated with lamivudine (LAM), either in monotherapy or in combination with newer drugs, such as entecavir (ETV) or tenofovir (TDF). High (37.5-100%) rates of HBV DNA positivity were observed with all but one drug regimen (LAM + ETV). However, patients that were treated with ETV alone, TDF alone or with LAM combination therapies had a mean viral load that was 3-4 log lower than patients treated with LAM monotherapy. Of the patients treated with LAM, 47% developed resistance mutations. HBV genotypes A (59.1%), D (30.3%) and F (9.1%) were found. There was no association between the presence of LAM resistance mutations and genotypes, HBeAg status or treatment duration. Nevertheless, the rtM204V mutation was observed more frequently (12/13, 92%) in genotype A than in the others (p = 0.023). Six out of nine isolates that contained the rtM204I mutation belonged to genotype D and half of them displayed a single mutation. Genotype D isolates with the rtM204V variant preferentially displayed a triple mutation, while genotype A preferentially displayed a double mutation (p = 0.04).

MeSH terms

  • Adenine / administration & dosage
  • Adenine / analogs & derivatives
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antiviral Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • DNA, Viral / analysis
  • Drug Resistance, Viral / genetics*
  • Drug Therapy, Combination / methods
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Guanine / administration & dosage
  • Guanine / analogs & derivatives
  • Hepatitis B virus / drug effects*
  • Hepatitis B virus / genetics
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic / drug therapy*
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic / virology
  • Humans
  • Lamivudine / administration & dosage*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mutation / drug effects*
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Organophosphonates / administration & dosage
  • Tenofovir
  • Viral Load
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • DNA, Viral
  • Organophosphonates
  • Lamivudine
  • entecavir
  • Guanine
  • Tenofovir
  • Adenine