| abstract |
Applicants have identified 5 mutants associated with hepatitis B virus resistance to adefovir, a nucleotide analogue antiviral drug widely employed in the therapy of hepatitis B. In accord with this invention, reverse transcriptase mutants rtN236T, rtA181V, rtA181T and their corresponding surface antigen mutants sL173F and sL172trunc are provided. The mutant proteins, antibodies thereto and nucleic acids encoding the mutants have diagnostic value in monitoring and adjusting patient therapy with adefovir and in the therapy of patients infected with the mutants. |