F. Suzuki et al., NOVEL HEPATITIS-B VARIANTS IN SIBLING CARRIERS POSITIVE FOR ANTIBODY TO HEPATITIS-B SURFACE-ANTIGEN, HEPATOLOGY RESEARCH, 4(3), 1995, pp. 121-125
We analyzed the pre-S and S genes of hepatitis B virus (HBV) obtained
from a pair of siblings, who tested positive for antibody to hepatitis
B surface antigen, and identified novel HBV variants. While Patient 1
tested positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) by radioimmun
oassay, Patient 2 tested negative for the same antigen. Two different
mutants were obtained from Patient 1. The first strain showed three am
ino acid mutations in the S region at positions 130 (G --> N), 138 (C
--> S) and 145 (G --> R). Another strain had mutations at 133 (M --> T
) and 134 (F --> I). Although one strain obtained from Patient 2 had a
mutation at 145 (G --> K), the second strain showed no mutation in th
e S region. The different genetic and serological states found in thes
e patients suggest that further diagnostic and vaccine strategies shou
ld be considered in eliminating HBV infection.