Chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) greatly increases the risk for liver cirrhosis and
hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HBV isolates worldwide can be divided into ten genotypes.
Moreover, the immune clearance phase selects for mutations in different parts of the viral
genome. The outcome of HBV infection is shaped by the complex interplay of the mode of
transmission, host genetic factors, viral genotype and adaptive mutations, as well as
environmental factors. Core promoter mutations and mutations abolishing hepatitis B e …