INAPPARENT WILD-TYPE AND E-MINUS VARIANT HBV INFECTION IN PATIENTS WITH HCV-RELATED CHRONIC HEPATITIS

We analysed DNA extracted from liver biopsy specimens and serum sample s from 42 HCV-RNA-positive/HBsAg-negative subjects with chronic hepati tis. Twenty-eight of them were anti-HBs/anti-HBc-positive (group A), w hile 14 were negative for all HBV markers (group B). HBV sequences wer e found in hepatic DNA of 12 cases (11 of group A, one of group B), bu t in the serum of only two cases of group A. Sequencing analysis of pr e-core region of HBV-DNA showed the presence of wild-type HBV in three cases, HBeAg-defective HBV in three cases, and the coexistence of bot h viral populations in six cases. These results indicate that HBV and HCV infection may coexist in HBsAg-negative chronic hepatitis, particu larly in anti-HBs/anti-HBc-positive patients. However, HBV replication appears suppressed in these cases, and this state of latency may invo lve both wild and HBeAg-defective HBV types.