Conservation and variability of hepatitis B core at different chronic hepatitis stages

Table 2 Main clinical and viral characteristics of hepatitis B virus-infected patients enrolled in the study

Median [IQR]	CHB (n = 16)	HCC (n = 17)	LC (n = 5)	P value
Age	38.5 [33.5-46.5]	67 [58-69]	56 [48-66]	0.002
Viral load (log IU/mL)	6.8 [5.7-8.0]	5.5 [4.7-6.7]	5.7 [4.8-6.2]	NS
ALT	56.5 [41.25-180.5]	70 [47-212]	46 [43-79]	NS
AST	56 [34.75-124]	120.5 [59-163.5]	66.45 [48.675-84.225]	NS
Platelets (109/L)	183 [161.5-226]	136 [98.5-255]	81.5 [61.25-101.75]	NS
Proportion
Gender (male)	11/16	15/17	3/5
HBeAg (positive)	8/16	3/17	0/5
Genotype, % (n)
A	18.8 (3)	5.9 (1)	20.0 (1)
C	37.5 (6)	5.9 (1)	20.0 (1)
D	25.0 (4)	64.7 (11)	40.0 (2)
D/A	(0)	5.9 (1)	0.0 (0)
D/E	6.3 (1)	11.8 (2)	0.0 (0)
E	6.3 (1)	0.0 (0)	20.0 (1)
F	6.3 (1)	5.9 (1)	0.0 (0)

D/E and D/A indicate mixtures of the 2 genotypes. The frequency of each genotype within the clinical groups is reported as percentage (%) and number of patients (n). CHB: Chronic hepatitis B infection without liver damage; HCC: Hepatocellular carcinoma; LC: Liver cirrhosis; ALT: Alanine aminotransferase (normal value < 40 IU/mL); AST: Aspartate aminotransferase (normal value < 40 IU/mL); IQR: Interquartile range; NS: No-statistical P value.