Abstract: METHODS: The proportion of
pre-core (
G1896A) and
basal core promoter (
A1762T and
G1764A) mutant viruses and serum levels of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA, hepatitis B
surface antigen (
HBsAg), and HB
core-related antigen were analyzed in
chronic hepatitis B patients before and after
HBeAg seroconversion (n = 25), in those who were persistently
HBeAg positive (n = 18), and in those who were persistently anti-
HBe positive (n = 43).