Hepatitis B surface antigen variants in vaccinees, blood donors and an interferon-treated patient

Variants of hepatitis B virus (HBV), with amino acid substitutions in the m ajor antigenic 'a' determinant of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), have been described mainly in vaccinated children. In the present study in addi tion to vaccinated children, we have investigated Chinese blood donors posi tive for anti-HBc alone, and a patient with continuing liver disease after interferon-induced seroconversion to anti-HBs. Variants were detected in tw o of four children with break-through infections. One child had a double mu tation (P142S and G145R) and the other a G145A substitution. Three of seven anti-HBc positive Chinese blood donors had a T131I substitution, whilst th e interferon-treated patient had a treble amino acid substitution (P142S, G 145R and N146D). The present results indicate that HBsAg variants may exist in individuals other than vaccinated children.