Hepatitis B virus genotype B and mutations in basal core promoter and pre-core/core genes associated with acute-on-chronic liver failure: a multicenter cross-sectional study in China

Background and aim

In China, acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is mostly caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV). However, the mechanism remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the association between both HBV genotype and mutations in basal core promoter (BCP) and pre-core/core (pre-C/C) regions with the development of HB-ACLF.

Methods

A multicenter cross-sectional study was performed in China. Serum samples from 522 patients were analyzed, including 231 patients with mild-chronic hepatitis B (CHB-M), 84 with severe-chronic hepatitis B (CHB-S) and 207 with HB-ACLF. HBV genotype and related mutations in the BCP and pre-C/C regions were determined by direct sequencing.

Results

A significantly higher ratio of HBV genotype B to C was detected in HB-ACLF patients than in CHB-M or CHB-S patients. The A1762T/G1764A, A1846T and G1896A mutations were significantly more common in HB-ACLF patients infected with either genotype B or C as compared with CHB-M, whereas the C1913A/G and A2159G mutations were more associated with HB-ACLF in genotype C patients. Comparing with CHB-S, the A1762T/G1764A mutation in genotype B and the A2159G mutation in genotype C were significantly more common in HB-ACLF patients. A multivariate analysis showed that factors such as HBV genotype B, age ≥40 years and A1762T/G1764A, A1846T and G1896A mutations were independently associated with the development of HB-ACLF.

Conclusion

Chronic HBV infection with genotype B, A1762T/G1764A, A1846T and G1896A mutations has a higher possibility to develop HB-ACLF. These virological factors could serve as possible molecular markers for prediction of the clinical outcomes of chronic HBV infection.     

HBV前-C区和BCP区变异与肝细胞癌的相关性分析

目的探讨HBV前-C区G1896A和BCP区A1762T/G1764A变异与肝细胞癌(HCC)的关系及其可能的机制。方法选择于青岛市传染病医院住院的HBV DNA104拷贝/ml的慢性HBV感染者82例,其中慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)29例,乙型肝炎肝硬化(LC)27例,HBV相关肝细胞癌(HCC)26例,采用实时荧光PCR法检测其HBV前-C区1896位变异和BCP区1762/1764位变异,并采用ELISA法检测血清肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)水平。结果 HCC组和LC组前-C区G1896A和BCP区A1762T/G1764A变异率、血清TNF-α水平均显著高于CHB组,但HCC组和LC组间无显著差异。前-C区G1896A和BCP区A1762T/G1764A变异者血清TNF-α水平均显著高于非变异组。结论 HBV前-C区G1896A和BCP区A1762T/G1764A变异与HCC形成有关,机制是否与HBV变异和TNF-α水平间的因果关系相关,有待进一步研究。     

Hepatitis B virus genotype and basal core promoter/precore mutations are associated with hepatitis B‐related acute‐on‐chronic liver failure without pre‐existing liver cirrhosis

Summary. The study was undertaken to investigate the features and clinical implications of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes, basal core promoter (BCP) and precore (PC) mutations in hepatitis B‐related acute‐on‐chronic liver failure (HB‐ACLF). Samples from 75 patients with HB‐ACLF and without pre‐existing liver cirrhosis and 328 age‐matched patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) were analyzed. HBV genotype and BCP/PC mutations were determined by direct sequencing. Mutations at 8 sites of the BCP/PC region were compared between the two groups of patients. A significantly higher ratio of genotype B to C was found in patients with HB‐ACLF than in patients with CHB (30.7–69.3%vs16.5–82.6%, P < 0.01). Single mutations including T1753V (C/A/G), A1762T, G1764A, G1896A and G1899A and triple mutations T1753V/A1762T/G1764A and A1762T/G1764A/C1766T (or T1768A) were more frequently detected in patients with HB‐ACLF than in patients with CHB. Correspondingly, BCP/PC wild‐type sequences were absent in patients with HB‐ACLF in contrast to 27.1% in patients with CHB. The BCP/PC mutations were found to be associated with increased HBeAg negativity, higher alanine aminotransferase level and lower viral load. Patients with HB‐ACLF infected with the PC mutant virus had a higher mortality. The findings suggest that patients with CHB infected with genotype B with BCP/PC mutations were more likely to develop HB‐ACLF than those with genotype C with wild‐type BCP/PC regions, and patients with HB‐ACLF with the PC mutation had increased risk of a fatal outcome.     

HBsAg, HBeAg and HBV DNA level changes and precore/basal core promoter mutations in the natural history of chronic hepatitis B in Indonesian patients

Introduction

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is a state of complex interactions between the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and host. We studied the changes in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B ‘e’ antigen (HBeAg) and HBV DNA levels, considering the implications of HBV genotype, basal core promoter (BCP) A1762T/G1764A and precore G1896A mutations in CHB.

Methods

One hundred fifty-two treatment-naïve CHB patients were classified into immune-tolerant (IT), immune-clearance (IC), low/non-replicative (LR) and ‘e’-negative hepatitis B (ENH) phases, based on HBeAg status, HBV DNA and ALT levels. HBV DNA was detected and quantified by polymerase chain reaction, then analyzed by sequencing. HBsAg and HBeAg levels were measured serologically.

Results

HBsAg and HBV DNA levels varied between CHB phases, with HBsAg highest in IT and lowest in LR, and HBV DNA high in IT and IC, and lowest in LR. Both markers increased in ENH. Correlation between HBsAg and HBV DNA was significant in IT and IC, modest in ENH, but missing in LR. HBeAg and HBV DNA levels were dissociated in HBeAg-positive patients. Genotypes B and C were similarly distributed, with precore mutations higher in HBeAg-negative patients and BCP mutations comparable in all phases. Temporal association between HBeAg seroconversion and an increase of BCP/precore mutations was observed.

Conclusion

HBsAg and HBV DNA levels were high and correlated in early CHB phases and dissociated after HBeAg seroconversion, indicating different controls affecting HBV replication and HBsAg production. Selection of BCP/precore mutants may affect disease course and explain the HBeAg–HBV DNA dissociation, a precaution for clinical application of quantitative HBeAg.     

Hepatitis B Virus Core Promoter Mutations in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B and Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Bucharest,Romania

Background:

Accurate and personalized molecular virological diagnosis of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is crucial for individualized selection of patients for antiviral therapy in Romania.

Objectives:

We aimed to investigate HBV mutations in Romanian patients with chronic HBV infection, also to match HBV genotypes with HBV mutations identified and clinical outcomes.

Patients and Methods:

This was a cross-sectional study. A total of 484 Romanian patients with chronic HBV infection and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were investigated. This was performed in Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania during January 2005 to August 2010. HBsAg positive patients with chronic HBV infection admitted to Fundeni Clinical Institute were randomly enrolled in the study. Analysis was performed in the Centre for Immunogenetics and Virology, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania. Indirect diagnosis was performed with enhanced chemiluminescence method using Architect i2000SR and HBV-DNA was quantified with COBAS TaqMan HBV PCR. Direct sequencing of the PCR-products was performed with the PCR-product sequencing kit. HBV genotyping was performed with INNO-LiPA DR Amplification and INNO-LiPA HBV precore-core.

Results:

We detected two HBV genotypes; A (8.1%) and D (60.5%), and a mixture of genotypes A and D (31.4%) (P < 0.001). Basal core promoter (BCP) A1762T/G1764A and precore (PC) G1896A mutations were detected in these Romanian patients with chronic HBV infection. HBV chronic carriers had mainly genotype D (54.4%) and HBV WT (64.0%). BCP A1762T, G1764A and PC G1896A were significantly associated with HCC-tissue HBV sequencing (75.3%) (P < 0.001). PC G1896A alone was detected in HCC-serum HBV sequencing group (66.7%).

Conclusions:

Genotype D was the main genotype detected in Romanian patients with chronic HBV infection. Genotype D presented both BCP and PC mutations more frequently.     

Role of hepatitis B virus base core and precore/core promoter mutations on hepatocellular carcinoma in untreated older genotype C Chinese patients

The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of mutations of basal core promoter (BCP) and precore (PreC) region of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and their association with hepatocellular carcinoma. A total of 341 untreated older HBV patients were divided into three groups: chronic hepatitis B (CHB, 185), cirrhotic hepatocellular carcinoma (LC-HCC, 113) and non-cirrhotic hepatocellular carcinoma (non-LC-HCC, 43). HBV BCP and PreC mutations and genotypes were determined by direct sequencing. Using univariate analysis, age (≥ 45 years), single mutations including A1896 and A1899 and multiple mutations T1762/A1764 + A1896, T1762/A1764 + A1899 and T1762/A1764 + A1896 + A1899 were more frequently detected in LC-HCC and non-LC-HCC patients than in CHB patients. BCP T1762/A1764 mutations were highly detected in LC-HCC patients than in CHB patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis (adjusted for age and gender) revealed that among HBeAg-positive patients, BCP T1762/A1764 mutations (OR, 5.975; P = 0.05), PreC A1899 mutation (OR, 4.180; P = 0.013) and multiple mutations T1762/A1764 + A1899 (OR, 6.408; P = 0.006) were independently associated with the development of LC-HCC; PreC A1899 mutation (OR, 7.347; P = 0.034) was also independently associated with the development of non-LC-HCC. On the other hand, among HBeAg-negative patients, PreC A1896 mutation (OR, 5.176; P = 0.002) and multiple mutations T1762/A1764 + A1896 (OR, 4.149; P = 0.007) were independently associated with the development of non-LC-HCC. These results indicated that older age (≥ 45 years) was associated with LC-HCC and non-LC-HCC development. BCP T1762/A1764 mutations and PreC A1899 mutation were associated with the LC-HCC development in HBeAg-positive patients. PreC A1896 mutation was associated with the non-LC-HCC development in HBeAg-negative patients.     

Combinations of eight key mutations in the X/preC region and genomic activity of hepatitis B virus are associated with hepatocellular carcinoma

Accumulation of eight key mutations located in the X/preC regions of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome (G1613A, C1653T, T1753V, A1762T, G1764A, A1846T, G1896A and G1899A) is a risk marker for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we analysed the 8 key mutations in 442 serum samples collected from 310 non‐HCC and 132 HCC patients to identify the combinations linked to HCC. After the patients were stratified according to the age groups and mutation combinations, clinical parameters were compared between the HCC and the non‐HCC groups. Analyses were focused on patient ≥40 years of age infected by HBV genotype C with A1762T and G1764A mutations in the basal core promoter region (BCP double mutation). In patients with ≥6 mutations, the combination of [G1613A + C1653T + A1846T + G1896A] mutations was closely linked to HCC, whereas no specific single or double mutation combination was associated with HCC. In patients with ≤5 mutations, HBeAg and HBV DNA serum titres were lower in the HCC group than those in the non‐HCC group. Unlike the number of mutations, no specific combination correlated with advanced clinical stage in HCC. Of the BCP double mutation–based HBV mutant types, combinations of ≥6 mutations that include G1613A + C1653T + A1846T + G1896A, and combinations of ≤5 mutations with reduced HBeAg production, may be more specific indicators of HCC risk than only the number of mutations or any specific combination(s).     

海南汉族乙型肝炎病毒基因型与BCP区和前C区基因突变的关系

目的探讨海南汉族乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）基因型与前C区G1896A和BCP区A1762T／G1764A基因突变的关系。方法采用RT-PCR方法检测乙型肝炎患者的HBV基因型,PCR方法扩增包含C启动子和前C区基因核苷酸（nt1643-nt2112）,对PCR产物进行DNA测序。结果基因型C的BCP区A1762T／G1764A突变率（58．82％）显著地高于基因型B（10．53％）（P〈0．05）。基因型CG1896A突变率为29．41％,基因型BG1896A突变率为47．37％,两者比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论不同基因型HBV致病能力可能与病毒基因组BCP区A1762T／G1764A突变率的不同有关,而与前C区G1896A突变无关。     

青岛地区乙型肝炎病毒基本核心启动子区基因突变与乙型肝炎病毒所致原发性肝癌的相关性

目的通过分析山东省青岛地区HBV核心启动子基因序列的突变特征,探讨其与乙型肝炎相关原发性肝癌的相关性。方法收取慢性乙型肝炎患者和乙型肝炎相关原发性肝癌患者的血清标本各60例,然后从中提取HBV DNA,采用聚合酶链反应(PCR)扩增、纯化、克隆后测序,根据S基因区的编码序列确定患者的基因型和血清型;分别将HBV核心启动子区的各序列结果与GeneBank中的HBV标准株做对比,用DNAMAN软件对基因序列进行突变分析。采用SPSS17.0软件进行统计学分析。结果 120例标本,HBV株均为B或C基因型,以C基因型为主,其中,HBV组的C基因型所占比率为83.33%,HCC组为90.00%(χ2=0.65,P=0.42);血清型均为adw2或adrq+。HBV基因组核心启动子区常见的点突变为C1653T、T1753V、C1754T及A1762T/G1764A,发生率分别为42.73%、86.36%、71.82%、38.18%。与慢性乙型肝炎患者相比,肝癌患者中发生率比较高的突变位点为C1653T(78.85%,χ2=52.58,P<0.001)及A1762T/G1764A(73.08%,χ2=50.88,P<0.001)。结论山东青岛地区HBV基因组常见为B、C基因型,其中以C型为主;核心启动子区突变发生率高,其中,T1753V与HCC发生无关,C1653T、A1762T和G1764A位点无论单独或是联合突变均与HCC发生密切相关。     

HBeAg阴性慢性乙型肝炎患者出现前C和基本核启动子联合突变的意义

目的 探讨HBeAg阴性慢性乙型肝炎患者出现前C区G1896A突变和基本核启动子(BCP)区A1762T／G1764A双突变，以及两者的联合突变对患者血清病毒含量的影响。方法 收集240份HBeAg阴性、60份HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎患者血清及40份阴性对照血清，采用竞争分化聚合酶链反应(CD-PCR)检测G1896A突变及A1762T/G1764A双突变，采用实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应(PCR)检测血清中病毒含量。结果 G1896A突变在HBeAg阴性和HBeAg阳性患者中的检出率分别为57．6％和6．7％；A1762T／G1764A双突变的检出率分别为37．9％和31．7％；其中两者联合突变在HBeAg阴性患者中的检出率为13．5％。在HBeAg阴性患者中，G1896A突变主要出现在血清病毒含量低的患者，而A1762T／G1764A双突变与血清病毒含量无关。联合变异株主要见于重度慢性乙型肝炎患者，与血清病毒含量无关。结论 G1896A变异株复制能力较低，而A1762T／G1764A变异株对病毒复制能力影响可能较为复杂，对HBeAg合成的影响较G1896A变异株小。联合变异株的致病力相对较强，其复制能力较单纯G1896A强，值得警惕。     

Mutations of the core promoter and response to interferon treatment in chronic replicative hepatitis B

In chronic replicative hepatitis B the significance of mutations in the basic core promoter (BCP), core upstream regulatory sequences (CURS) and negative regulatory element (NRE) for response to interferon (IFN) is unknown. A sequence analysis of the NRE, CURS, BCP, and precore region was performed from sera of 96 patients with chronic replicative hepatitis B (64 hepatitis B e antigen [HBeAg]-positive patients and 32 HBeAg-negative patients) treated with alfa-IFN (IFN-alpha). The overall sustained response (SR) rate to IFN was 30% with no significant difference between HBeAg-positive and HBeAg-negative patients. IFN responsiveness correlated to hepatitis B virus (HBV)-DNA levels, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) levels, the number of mutations in the complete BCP, especially nucleotide (nt) region 1753 to 1766 and mutations at nt 1762 and 1764. In HBeAg-positive hepatitis, SR to IFN was associated with a high number of mutations in the BCP (P <.04) and nucleotide region 1753 to 1766 (P <.015) as well as mutations at nucleotide 1764 (P <.007). In HBeAg-negative hepatitis, SR to IFN correlated with a low number of mutations in the BCP (P <.04) and nucleotide region 1753 to 1766 (P <.02) and a wild-type sequence at nt 1764 (P <.003). Prediction of IFN response was possible on the basis of nt 1764 in 77% of HBeAg-positive patients and 78% of HBeAg-negative patients. IFN response did not correlate with the occurrence of the 1896 mutation, mutations in the CURS or NRE, disease duration, ethnic origin of the patient, alanine transaminase (ALT) levels and HBV genotype. Our data suggest that HBV genome mutations located within the BCP are determinants of a response to IFN therapy.     

Genomic change in hepatitis B virus associated with development of hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM: To determine the genomic changes in hepatitis B virus (HBV) and evaluate their role in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients chronically infected with genotype C HBV.METHODS: Two hundred and forty chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients were subjected and followed for a median of 105 mo. HCC was diagnosed in accordance with AASLD guidelines. The whole X, S, basal core promoter (BCP), and precore regions of HBV were sequenced using the direct sequencing method.RESULTS: All of the subjects were infected with genotype C HBV. Out of 240 CHB patients, 25 (10%) had C1653T and 33 (14%) had T1753V mutation in X region; 157 (65%) had A1762T/G1764A mutations in BCP region, 50 (21%) had G1896A mutation in precore region and 67 (28%) had pre-S deletions. HCC occurred in 6 patients (3%). The prevalence of T1753V mutation was significantly higher in patients who developed HCC than in those without HCC. The cumulative occurrence rates of HCC were 5% and 19% at 10 and 15 years, respectively, in patients with T1753V mutant, which were significantly higher than 1% and 1% in those with wild type HBV (P < 0.001).CONCLUSION: The presence of T1753V mutation in HBV X-gene significantly increases the risk of HCC development in patients chronically infected with genotype C HBV.     

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes and CD4 epitope mutations in the pre-core/core region of hepatitis B virus in chronic hepatitis B carriers in Northeast Iran

Backgrounds

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is vulnerable to many various mutations. Those within epitopes recognized by sensitized T cells may influence the re-emergence of the virus. This study was designed to investigate the mutation in immune epitope regions of HBV pre-core/core among chronic HBV patients of Golestan province, Northeast Iran.

Methods

In 120 chronic HBV carriers, HBV DNA was extracted from blood plasma samples and PCR was done using specific primers. Direct sequencing and alignment of the pre-core/core region were applied using reference sequence from Gene Bank database (Accession Number AB033559).

Results

The study showed 27 inferred amino acid substitutions, 9 of which (33.3%) were in CD4 and 2 (7.4%) in cytotoxic T lymphocytes’ (CTL) epitopes and 16 other mutations (59.2%) were observed in other regions.

Conclusions

CTL escape mutations were not commonly observed in pre-core/core sequences of chronic HBV carriers in the locale of study. It can be concluded that most of the inferred amino acid substitutions occur in different immune epitopes other than CTL and CD4.

     

High level of hepatitis B virus DNA after HBeAg-to-anti-HBe seroconversion is related to coexistence of mutations in its precore and basal core promoter

AIM: G1896A mutation in precore or A1762T/G1764A mutations in basal core promoter are suspected to be responsible for patients with detectable level of HBV DNA in serum after seroconversion from HBeAg to anti-HBe. However, G1896A variant has impaired, while A1762T/ G1764A variant may have intact replication ability. They themselves or their coexistence status may play different roles in such meaningless seroconversion. For these reasons, the significances of these two types of mutations were comparatively investigated in this study. METHODS: One hundred and sixty-five sera with positive anti-HBe and HBV DNA were collected from different patients. Mutations of G1896A and A1762T/G1764A among these serum samples were detected using competitively differentiated PCR. HBV DNA was demonstrated using real-time quantitative PCR. RESULTS: G1896A and/or A1762T/G1764A mutations were detected in 89.1% (147/165) out of patients with detectable HBV DNA in serum after HBeAg-to-anti-HBe seroconversion. The positive rate of G1896A variants was significantly higher than that of A1762T/G1764A mutations (77.6% vs 50.3%, X2= 26.61,P<0.01). The coexistence positive rate of these two types of mutations was 38.8% (64/165). Coexistence mutations were found in 77.1% (64/83) out of sera with A1762T/G1764A mutations, and in 50.0% (64/128) out of sera with G1896A mutation. Compared with variants with G1896A mutation only, the coexistence mutations were predominant in patients with high level of serum HBV DNA, and related to higher total bilirubin, lower serum albumin and progressive liver diseases. CONCLUSION: The coexistence of G1896A mutation and A1762T/G1764A mutations is very common, and responsible for the major cases with high level of HBV DNA in serum and progressive liver diseases after HBeAg-to-anti-HBe seroconversion. This coexistence mutation variant may have higher pathogenicity and replication ability.     

Correlates of disease-specific knowledge among patients with chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C infection in India

Background

Patient knowledge about chronic diseases increases health-promoting behaviors and improves clinical outcomes. We assessed this association for patients with chronic viral hepatitis.

Methods

Untreated patients chronically infected with HBV (n = 500) or HCV (n = 500) were enrolled at 19 centers across India. A survey, adapted from the US CDC National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) questionnaire, was administered at a single visit to assess HBV/HCV knowledge, community disease awareness, treatment quality, and healthcare barriers. We developed the India Hepatitis Knowledge Index (IHKI), where a higher IHKI score (range 0–10) indicates increased hepatitis knowledge. Multivariate regression models evaluated demographic and disease factors.

Results

The overall mean IHKI score was 5.6 out of 10, with higher scores among patients with HBV (5.9) than HCV (5.3); p < 0.001. In HBV patients lower IHKI was associated with shorter disease duration, government clinic attendance (p < 0.0001), fewer personal experiences with HBV (p < 0.0001), and residing in northern India. Among HCV patients, lower IHKI was associated with shorter disease duration, community (p < 0.0001) and government clinic attendance (p < 0.0001), and fewer personal experiences with HCV (p < 0.0001). Among HBV patients, IHKI was independently associated with disease severity as assessed by MELD score, albumin, and APRI. This association was strongest for HBV patients with elevated ALT and HBV DNA >2000 IU/ml. Among HCV patients, IHKI results had no significant associations with disease severity.

Conclusions

The association of IHKI with disease underscores the need to understand connections between hepatitis knowledge and progression and may guide efforts to address patient education and awareness of chronic viral hepatitis in India.

     

慢性乙型肝炎病毒感染者病毒前C区和基本核心启动子区变异检测及意义

目的 探讨乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）前C区和基本核心启动子（BCP）区变异与基因型及疾病进展间的关系。方法 收集HBV携带者（ASC）、慢性乙型肝炎（CHB）、肝炎肝硬化（LC）、肝细胞肝癌（HCC）患者血清148份，用半巢式聚合酶链反应扩增HBV前C／C基因部分片段，产物纯化后直接测序，检测前C区A1896及BCP区T1762／A1764变异。用S基因聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性分析（PCR-RFLP）方法确定HBV基因型。结果 有128份血清能够成功分型和测序，其中B基因型60份，C基因型68份。在B基因型感染者中前C区A1896变异检出率（48．33％）明显高于C基因型感染者（29．41％，X^2=4．83，P〈0．05）；而BCP区T1762／A1764变异检出率却明显低于C基因型感染者，差异亦有统计学意义（30．00％：73．54%，X^2=24．25。P〈0．05）。前C区A1896变异在CHB、LC、HCC中的阳性检出率分别为46．88％（15/32）、39．39％（13／33）、51．52％（17／33）。与ASC的13．33％（4／30）相比，P分别〈0．05，差异有统计学意义。BCP区T1762／A1764变异检出率在HCC、LC组分别为87．88％（29／33）和72．73％（24／33）．明显高于CHB组的37．50％（12／32）及ASC组10.00％（3／30）（P〈0．05）。结论 前C区A1896变异常见于B基因型感染者，而BCP区T1762/A1764变异C基因型感染者多见。除ASC外．前C区A1896变异与疾病进展关系不大．而BCP区T1762/A1764变异与乙型肝炎进展及顶后相关。     

Association of core promoter/precore mutations and viral load in e antigen-negative chronic hepatitis B patients

Apart from core promoter A1762T/G1764A and precore G1896A mutations, other hepatitis B virus (HBV) mutants are detected in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB). The aim of this study was to determine the effects of those mutants on clinical manifestation and viral loads of genotypes B and C HBV. Seventy-nine HBeAg-negative CHB patients with hepatitis flare were enrolled in this study and their HBV precore/core region were sequenced. Serial biochemical profiles and viral loads were assessed and compared. Fifty-three patients (67%) were infected by genotype B HBV and 26 (33%) were infected by genotype C HBV. The clinical manifestation and HBV viral loads were comparable between the two groups. However, genotype B was significantly associated with precore G1896A mutation (92.5%), and more mutations within nucleotide 1809-1817 were detected in patients infected by genotype B as compared with those infected by genotype C (18.9%vs 3.8%). Most of the cases had mutations at the -2, -3 or -5 position from the precore AUG initiation codon. Triple core promoter mutations T1753C/A1762T/G1764A [corrected] appeared to be linked to genotype C rather than genotype B HBV (19.2%vs 1.9%; P = 0.013). In multivariate analysis, the presence of either triple core promoter 1753/1762/1764 mutation or nucleotide 1809-1817 mutation was the only factor associated with lower HBV viral load (<70 Meq/mL) (odds ratio = 9.01; 95% CI 1.11-71.43; P = 0.04). In conclusion, minor HBV variants with mutations in the core promoter and precore region were detectable in genotypes B and C. Such HBV variants are genotype specific and related to viraemia levels.     

Association of Hepatitis B Virus Mutations of A1846T and C1913A/G With Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure Development From Different Underlying Chronic Liver Diseases

Background

As most HBV-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) have concurrent cirrhosis, it is important to clarify the association of viral factors with ACLF with or without cirrhosis.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to analyze the association of HBV genotypes and mutations with ACLF development underlying different chronic liver diseases.

Patients and Methods

Eighty-seven ACLF patients including 29 patients with chronic hepatitis (ACLF-CHB) and 58 patients with liver cirrhosis (ACLF-LC) were enrolled. Age and sex matched patients with chronic hepatitis (CHB) and liver cirrhosis (LC) were enrolled as controls. The genotypes and mutations at HBV basic core promoter (BCP), precore (PC), and partial C regions were determined by nested PCR and direct sequencing.

Results

Our results revealed significantly higher incidences (P < 0.05) of genotype B with C1913A/G or A1846T in patients with ACLF-CHB than those with CHB; genotype C with C1913A/G or A1846T in patients with ACLF-CHB and ACLF-LC than those with CHB and LC, respectively. Multivariable analysis indicated that A1846T and C1913A/G mutations were independent factors for ACLF (OR = 2.86 and 5.93, respectively), suggesting an association between the mutations and development of ACLF. In addition, there were no significant differences in mutations at T1753V, A1762T, G1764A, G1896A, and G1899A which were found between either CHB and ACLF-CHB or LC and ACLF-LC patients， suggesting no associations of these mutations with ACLF development.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that CHB or LC patients infected with HBV A1846T and C1913A/G mutants are more susceptible to develop ACLF.     

乙型肝炎病毒前C区和BCP区突变及基因型对HBeAg表达的影响

研究乙型肝炎病毒前C区和BCP区突变及基因型对HBeAg表达的影响。分别用基因芯片和基因测序的方法检验HBV DNA阳性的乙型肝炎病毒前C区和BCP区突变及基因型,应用时间分辨免疫荧光法检测HBeAg含量,按照有无HBV前C区1896、BCP区1762、1764双突变、基因型等指标进行分组分析。无前C区1896和BCP区1762/1764双突变组、单纯1762、1764双突变和1896突变组以及1896、1762、1764联合突变组之间相互比较,HBeAg含量相差显著,F=6.47,P〈0.01;B、C基因型间HBeAg含量相比,相差无显著性,t=0.1394,P〉0.05。乙型肝炎病毒前C区和BCP区突变能显著影响HBeAg量的表达,从而导致乙型肝炎病毒致病能力的变化。     

Combination and evolution of HBV mutant strains in the HBeAg-positive status predict clinical outcomes after HBeAg seroconversion

Purpose

We investigated whether the combined presence and evolution of hepatitis B virus (HBV) mutant strains in the hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive status can predict clinical outcomes after HBeAg seroconversion.

Methods

One hundred and eighty-six patients with spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion were enrolled into this longitudinal study. The sequences of pre-S, core promoter, and precore regions were determined at study entry and at the visit immediately before HBeAg seroconversion.

Results

Age ≥40 years at HBeAg seroconversion, male sex, and higher HBV DNA levels at entry were independent predictors for HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Patients with combined mutations of pre-S deletions and T1762/A1764 had a significantly increased risk of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) compared to patients with the wild type at both genomic regions. Combinations of pre-S deletions and T1762/A1764 were found on the same HBV genome by cloning analysis of full-length HBV genomes. Patients with a persistent presence of pre-S deletions and T1762/A1764 mutations, and new development of pre-S deletions in the HBeAg-positive status were significantly at an increased risk of HBeAg-negative CHB, cirrhosis, and HCC after HBeAg seroconversion than those with a persistent presence of the wild type at both genomic regions. After adjusting the other risk factors, the evolution of pre-S deletions was an independent predictor for cirrhosis [hazard ratio (HR): 1.52, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.02–2.25] and HCC (HR: 4.0, 95 % CI 1.6–10.1).

Conclusions

The combined presence and evolution of pre-S deletions and T1762/A1764 in the HBeAg-positive status was a useful factor significantly predictive of clinical outcomes in patients with spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion.