The relationship between core promoter mutation of hepatitis B virus, viral load and hepatitis B e antigen status in chronic hepatitis B patients

► The relation between HBV core mutation, HBeAg status and the viral load in CHB patients were studied. ► HBV core mutation was frequent both in the HBeAg (+ve) and (−ve) patients. ► HBV core mutation was associated with a lower viral load in HBeAg (−ve) patients than in HBeAg (+ve) patients.