We investigated the influence of these mutants on the clinical features of patients at different stages of chronic HBV infection. Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of pre-core and core-promoter mutants in cirrhosis and HCC patients infected by HBV and the association between these mutants and HBV genotypes. Method: Among 128 patients (including 40 inactive carriers, 46 cirrhosis and 42 HCC), sequencing of pre-core and basal core-promoter regions of the HBV genome were performed in 46 HBeAg-negative chronic HBV - infected patients at different stages of liver disease. Results: Ratios of pre-core and core-promoter mutants were 19.6% and 35.7%, respectively.