Low level wild-type and pre-core mutant hepatitis B viruses and HBeAg negative reactivation of chronic hepatitis B

Citation
M. Oketani et al., Low level wild-type and pre-core mutant hepatitis B viruses and HBeAg negative reactivation of chronic hepatitis B, J MED VIROL, 58(4), 1999, pp. 332-337
Citations number
32
Categorie Soggetti
Clinical Immunolgy & Infectious Disease",Microbiology
Journal title
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
ISSN journal
01466615 → ACNP
Volume
58
Issue
4
Year of publication
1999
Pages
332 - 337
Database
ISI
SICI code
0146-6615(199908)58:4<332:LLWAPM>2.0.ZU;2-C
Abstract
A qualitative and a quantitative mutation-site specific polymerase chain re action assay (MSSA) was used to detect low level wild-type and pre-core mut ant hepatitis B virus (HBV)-DNA. Serum samples from 11 anti-hepatitis B e ( anti-HBe)-positive asymptomatic HBV carriers (Group A) and 10 anti-HBe-posi tive chronic hepatitis B patients who achieved alanine transaminase (ALT) n ormalization after antiviral therapy (Group B) were tested. Eleven patients had both wild-type and pre-core mutant HBV-DNA (52%, 4 from Group A and 7 from Group B), whereas 3 patients had only pre-core mutant HBV-DNA (14%, 2 from Group A and 1 from Group B) by qualitative MSSA assay. During a 3-year follow-up period, relapses were observed in 3 patients from Group B and in termittent ALT elevation was observed in 4 patients from Group A and 3 pati ents from Group B. The wild-type HBV-DNA concentration in the patients with reactivation was 10(2.06+/-2.62) copies/ml, whereas that in all patients w ithout reactivation was below 10(2) copies/ml (P < .05). The pre-core mutan t HBV-DNA concentration in the patients with reactivation was also signific antly higher than that in the patients without reactivation (10(3.94+/-2.25 ) vs. 10(0.65+/-1.45) copies/ml, P < .001). All patients with both HBV-DNA concentrations below 102 copies/ml did not exhibit reactivation. Our result suggest that a high prevalence of coexistence of low level wild-type and p re-core mutant HBV-DNA has the potential for reactivation in anti-HBe-posit ive patients. Furthermore, quantification of wild-type and pre-core mutant HBV-DNA was useful to predict the prognosis of anti-HBe-positive infection and evaluate the efficacy of antiviral therapy. J. Med. Virol. 58:332-337, 1999. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.