Lack of interferon sensitivity-determining region in the genome of hepatitis B virus genotype Ba
Journal
Antiviral Therapy
Journal Volume
9
Journal Issue
6
Pages
895-903
Date Issued
2004
Author(s)
Lai M.-Y.
Chen T.-C.
Huang W.-L.
Abstract
Background/aims: In chronic hepatitis B, both host and viral factors may predict the response to interferon (IFN) treatment. Whether IFN sensitivity-determining regions exist within the hepatitis B virus (HBV) genomic background remains largely unknown. We therefore performed full-length viral genomic comparison between HBVs obtained from IFN responders and non-responders. Methods: We enrolled 18 HBV genotype Ba patients who had received 24-week IFN 5 MU three times weekly and were followed monthly for 12 months post-treatment. There were 10 responders and eight non-responders. Pre-treatment full-length viral nucleotide consensus sequence was obtained. In six non-responders and four responders, post-treatment viral nucleotide sequence was further compared with their corresponding pre-treatment specimens. In addition, the average number of nucleotide substitutions of the HBV quasispecies was compared between three responders and three non-responders. Results: HBV nucleotide consensus sequence was identical between responders and non-responders. We found 0-15 (mean 7.7) nucleotide substitutions in the post-treatment HBV genome in the six non-responders and 0-14 (mean 3.8) nucleotide substitutions in the four responders, respectively. Genetic complexity of HBV quasispecies was comparable between responders and non-responders. Conclusions: Our results suggest that an IFN sensitivity-determining region might not exist within the genome of HBV genotype Ba. Host factors and virus-host interactions may be more important in determining the response to IFN treatment.
SDGs
Other Subjects
alpha2b interferon; interferon; recombinant alpha2b interferon; virus DNA; adult; article; clinical article; comparative study; consensus sequence; drug response; drug sensitivity; female; genetic organization; genetic variability; genotype; hepatitis B; Hepatitis B virus; Hepatitis B virus Ba; human; interferon sensitivity determining region; male; nonhuman; nucleic acid base substitution; nucleotide sequence; priority journal; sequence analysis; sequence homology; virus genome; virus quasispecies; virus typing
Publisher
International Medical Press Ltd
Type
journal article