Result: When comparing the frequency of mutations in
HBsAg+ve and
HBsAg-ve individuals, only
sS174N occurred more frequently in
HBsAg-ve individuals (p<0.05).
Discussion: Although, with the exception of
sS174N, there was no significant difference between the frequency of the mutations in the
S region from
HBsAg+ve and
HBsAg-ve participants, there were a number of mutations that could account for the inability to detect
HBsAg.