Selection of a precore mutant of hepatitis B virus and reactivation of chronic hepatitis B acquired in childhood.

Bortolotti, F; Crivellaro, C; Brunetto, M R; Cadrobbi, P; Bertolini, A; Alberti, A · J Pediatr · 1993

case_report · Level V

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Abstract

A 14-year-old girl with chronic hepatitis B had seroconversion from hepatitis B e antigen to antibody and achieved biochemical remission after 2 years. The disease reactivated 9 years later when a precore mutant had become the prevalent hepatitis B virus strain in serum. These results suggest that selection of a precore mutant might induce reactivation during adult life of chronic hepatitis B acquired in childhood, thus worsening the prognosis.

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