Sequence analysis of pre-S/surface and pre-core/core promoter genes of hepatitis B virus in chronic hepatitis C patients with occult HBV infection
Journal
Journal of Medical Virology
Journal Volume
68
Journal Issue
2
Pages
216-220
Date Issued
2002
Author(s)
Abstract
Although occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in individuals without detectable hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) may occur and has been reported to be common in patients with chronic hepatitis C, the related molecular mechanisms remain unknown. With the polymerase chain reaction, serum HBV DNA was sought in 100 HBsAg-negative patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infection. In those with occult HBV infection, possible genomic variability of HBV was evaluated by amplification and direct sequencing of pre-S, surface, and pre-core/core promoter genes. In total, 10 of the 100 patients (10%) had detectable serum HBV DNA, documenting an occult HBV infection. A deletion mutant in the pre-S gene was found in one patient and mutations of the a determinant of HBsAg were observed in 2. In addition, a novel core promoter mutant (a dinucleotide substitution: T-to-C at nucleotide 1,802 and T-to-G at nucleotide 1,803, T1802C/T1803G) was found frequently in patients with occult HBV infection as compared to sex- and age-matched HBsAg-positive patients (80 vs. 10%, P < 0.001). In conclusion, the data suggest occult HBV infection is not uncommon in chronic hepatitis C patients in Taiwan, and a novel core promoter mutant may be associated with the absence of circulating HBsAg in these patients. ? 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
SDGs
Other Subjects
core protein; hepatitis B core antigen; hepatitis B surface antigen; virus DNA; adult; age; article; chronic hepatitis; deletion mutant; female; gender; gene amplification; gene deletion; genetic variability; hepatitis; Hepatitis B virus; hepatitis C; human; major clinical study; male; molecular mechanics; polymerase chain reaction; promoter region; sequence analysis; Taiwan; Hepatitis B virus; Hepatitis C virus
Publisher
Wiley-Liss Inc.
Type
journal article