Quantification of serum markers of hepatitis B (HBV) and Delta virus (HDV) infections in patients with chronic HDV infection

The interplay between hepatitis B (HBV) and delta (HDV) viruses is complex and not always characterized during chronic HDV infection. We assessed the clinical usefulness of new quantitative assays for HBV and HDV serum markers in a retrospective cross‐sectional study. Sera obtained from 122 HDV genotype 1 and HBV genotype D coinfected, anti‐HIV‐negative patients (71 males; median age 49.8 [21.7‐66.9] years), recruited consecutively in two geographical areas (Italy 69 patients, Romania 53 patients) with different HBV and HDV epidemiology, were tested for HBsAg, HBV‐DNA, HBcrAg, total anti‐HBc, HDV‐RNA, IgM and total anti‐HDV using quantitative assays. Cirrhosis, which showed comparable prevalence in the two cohorts, was diagnosed in 97 of 122 (79.5%) patients. At multivariate analysis, cirrhosis was associated with lower total anti‐HBc/IgM anti‐HDV ratio (OR 0.990, 95% CI 0.981‐0.999, P = .038), whereas disease activity was associated with higher total anti‐HDV (OR 10.105, 95% CI 1.671‐61.107, P = .012) and HDV‐RNA levels (OR 2.366, 95% CI 1.456‐3.844, P = .001). HDV‐RNA serum levels showed a positive correlation with HBV‐DNA (ρ = 0.276, P = .005), HBsAg (ρ = 0.404, P < .001) and HBcrAg (ρ = 0.332, P < .001). The combined quantitative profiling of HBV and HDV serum markers identifies specific patterns associated with activity and stage of chronic hepatitis D (CHD). HDV pathogenicity depends on the underlying active HBV infection in spite of the inhibition of its replication. HDV‐RNA, IgM anti‐HDV, total anti‐HDV, total anti‐HBc, HBsAg and HBcrAg serum levels qualify for prospective studies to predict progressive CHD and identify candidates to antiviral therapy.     

HDV/HBV感染树鼩肝组织Fas/FasL表达与肝细胞凋亡

目的 探讨HDV感染树鼩肝组织中Fas/FasL表达与HDV感染之间的关系,以及Fas/FasL在丁型肝炎肝细胞凋亡中的作用。 方法 采用免疫组化和原位杂交技术对45份HDV感染树鼩肝组织中HDAg,Fas/FasL和Fas/FasL mRNA的表达进行了检测;应用原位末端标记技术对肝细胞凋亡进行了检测;并应用免疫组化双重染色对HDAg,Fas/FasL的表达以及肝细胞凋亡进行了检测。 结果 45份肝组织中有39份可检出Fas/FasL(阳性率87％),有41份可检出凋亡细胞(阳性率91％),HDAg表达与Fas/FasL表达之间有显著相关性(X_1~2=29.2,X_2~2=27.9,P<0.05),HDAg表达越强,Fas和FasL表达也越强,凋亡在HDAg阳性和阴性细胞中均可发生,以HDAg阳性细胞发生为主,Fas/FasL表达与肝细胞凋亡之间有显著相关性(X_1~2=35.1,X_2~2=40.2,p<0.05),Fas和FasL表达越强,凋亡阳性细胞越多。 结论 丁型肝炎病毒感染和未感染的肝细胞均可发生凋亡,但凋亡只在少数细胞发生;肝细胞内的病毒抗原表达可诱导Fas/FasL的表达;Fas/FasL肝细胞凋亡中起重要作用。     

新疆地区HBV感染者的血清学模式与HDV的关系

目的了解新疆地区乙乙肝炎病毒(HBV)感染者的血清学模式与丁型肝炎病毒(HDV)的关系,为新疆乙型肝炎病毒指标阳性病例的各民族(汉族162例、维族93例、哈族53例、回族32例、蒙古族28例)病毒性肝炎诊断、治疗提供可靠的流行病学资料。方法应用国产酶联免疫法(ELISA)和荧光定量聚合酶链反应(FQ-PCR),检测了新疆各地区不同民族HBV的血清学模式、HBV DNA和HDAg、抗-HD。结果在368例各族患者血清中,48例HDV血清标志物阳性,HBV血清学模式为HBsAg+、HBeAg+、抗-HBc+22例;HBsAg+、抗-HBe+、抗-HBc+18例;HBsAg+、抗-HBc+8例。结论新疆地区各民族HBV感染者中,HDV阳性标志物与HBV血清学模式、HBV DNA之间比较,P>0.05,并无显著性差异。     

HDV/HBV感染树鼩肝组织中Bcl2/Bax表达和肝细胞凋亡

目的探讨HDV感染树鼩肝组织中Bcl2/Bax表达与HDV感染之间的关系,以及Bcl2/Bax在丁型肝炎肝细胞凋亡中的作用.方法采用免疫组化技术对45份HDV感染树鼩肝组织中HDAg,Bcl2/Bax的表达进行了检测;应用原位末端标记技术对肝细胞凋亡进行检测;并应用免疫组化双重染色对HDAg,Bcl2/Bax的表达以及肝细胞凋亡进行了检测.结果45份肝组织中有33份可检出Bax(阳性率73%),有7份可检出Bcl2(阳性率16%),有41份可检出凋亡细胞(阳性率91%).HDAg表达与Bcl2/Bax表达之间有显著相关性(X12=27.6,X22=35.9,P<0.05),HDAg表达越强,Bax表达越强;相反,Bcl2表达则越弱.凋亡在HDAg阳性和阴性细胞中均可发生,以在HDAg阳性细胞内发生为主.Bcl2/Bax表达与肝细胞凋亡之间有显著相关性(X12=40.1,X22=38.2,P<0.05),Bax表达越强,凋亡阳性细胞越多;相反,Bcl2表达越强,凋亡阳性细胞越少.结论丁型肝炎病毒感染和未感染的肝细胞均可发生凋亡,但凋亡只在少数细胞内发生;HDV可诱导Bax表达,但对Bcl2表达无明显诱导作用,Bcl2/Bax在肝细胞凋亡中起重要作用.     

Seroprevalence and epidemiological characteristics of HDV infection among HBV patients in the Nile Delta,Egypt

The epidemiology of HDV infection worldwide is obscure. Mapping the epidemiology of the infection is highly required, so, we aimed to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis D virus infection among chronic hepatitis B patients and the epidemiological characteristics in the Nile delta in Egypt. This was a prospective observational cross-sectional study including consecutive chronic hepatitis B patients in the out-patient clinics at the Egyptian Liver Research Institute and Hospital (ELRIAH) and its satellites in the Nile Delta from January 2016 until August 2018. They were recruited from patients enrolled in Educate, Test and Treat program, which was implemented in 73 Egyptian Villages. Subjects were tested by using HBsAg serological rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), and then HBV DNA by PCR was done in HBsAg-positive cases. HDV IgG antibody testing and confirmatory HDV RNA PCR were done. Complete liver functions, abdominal ultrasonography and FibroScan were also performed. The prevalence of HDV was 3.4% using anti-delta antibody (22/631), and only 8 were positive for HDV RNA (8/22, 36.4%). Overall HDV prevalence using PCR was 8/631(1.27%). HDV-positive cases were mainly males (68.2%). Eight cases were cirrhotic (36.4%), 3 (13.6%) had HCC and 7 (31.8%) were HBeAg positive. HDV prevalence is low among chronic hepatitis B patients in the Nile delta, Egypt. Screening for HDV IgG is recommended in CHB patients who had cirrhosis, HCC or HBeAg positive.     

乙丁型肝炎病毒感染树鼠句肝组织Fas和ICE的表达

目的探讨乙型并丁型肝炎病毒感染树鼠句肝组织中Fas和ICE表达与HDV感染之间的关系。方法采用免疫组织化学技术对45份HDV/HBV感染树鼠句肝组织中HDAg、Fas和ICE的表达进行了检测。结果45份肝组织中有39份可检出Fas(阳性率86.7%),有43份可检出ICE(阳性率95.6%)。Fas和ICE在肝细胞质和(或)膜上表达,以肝细胞质内表达为主。HDAg表达与Fas和ICE表达之间有显著相关性(χ2值为29.2和36.2,P＜0.01),HDAg表达越强,Fas和ICE表达也越强。结论肝细胞内的HDAg表达可诱导Fas和ICE的表达。     

Impact of occult HBV infection in HIV/HCV co-infected patients: HBV-DNA detection in liver specimens and in serum samples

Prevalence and impact of occult HBV infection in HIV positive patients is controversial. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of occult HBV infection and its impact on histological and virological parameters. 52 HIV/HCV (but HBsAg-negative) co-infected patients, 29 HBsAg and anti-HCV negative chronic hepatitis, and 20 HBsAg positive chronic hepatitis controls were studied. DNA was extracted from frozen biopsies and amplified with primers for S, C and X regions, and for (ccc) HBV-DNA. Sera were tested for HBV-DNA with two quantitative assays (Cobas Amplicor HBV Monitor, and the real-time COBAS (r) Taqman HBV Test, Roche Diagnostics, UK). Occult HBV infection was detected in 7 (13.4%) liver biopsies of the study group, and in none case of the non viral chronic hepatitis group (p=0.04). All serum samples were HBV-DNA negative with Cobas Amplicor HBV monitor assay, while 3 cases were found positive with real time PCR. Statistical analysis didn't show any impact of occult HBV infection on liver histology, CD4+ cells count, HIV and HCV load, and ALT levels. Occult B infection is relatively frequent in HIV/HCV co-infected patients, and is underestimated by common HBV-DNA serological assays. However, it doesn't seem to exert a relevant impact.     

Serological diagnosis of hepatitis B and delta virus (HBV/HDV) coinfection

Diagnosis of acute hepatitis B virus/hepatitis delta virus (HBV/HDV) coinfection is currently based on detection of anti-HD, however this antibody may be undetectable during the acute phase of hepatitis. To evaluate the entity of misdiagnosis of HBV/HDV coinfection in acute HBsAg-anti-HBc IgM positive hepatitis we examined sera from 245 consecutive patients obtained at admission and day 30, 60, 120, 210 and 400 of their follow-up. Anti-HD was detected in the serum of 26 out of 245 patients (10.6%). In 15% of cases it was present at admission, while in 92% it was found after 30 days. The combined detection of HDV-RNA, HDAg and IgM anti-HD in acute phase sera allowed a correct etiologic diagnosis in 69% of the cases. These findings suggest that the prevalence of HBV/HDV coinfection is underestimated when anti-HD is the only marker to be detected during the acute phase of disease. A correct etiologic diagnosis can only be made by testing acute phase sera for all the available markers of HDV. However, the best cost-effective procedure is to test any patient with HBV markers at presentation for anti-HD, 30-40 days after the onset of symptoms.     

Poor clinical and virological outcome of nucleos(t)ide analogue monotherapy in HBV/HDV co-infected patients

Co-infection of Hepatitis B (HBV) and Delta viruses (HDV) represent the most severe form of viral hepatitis. While treatment with pegylated Interferon alpha (PEG-IFNα) is well established, therapy with nucleoside or nucleotide analogues (NA) has been a matter of debate. We aimed to investigate the role of NA treatment in a well-defined single centre cohort.In a retrospective approach, we observed 53 HDV RNA positive and/or anti-HDV-positive patients recruited at a German referral centre between 2000 and 2019. Patients were followed for at least 3 months (mean time of follow up: 4.6 years; range: 0.2–14.1 years). Patients who had liver transplantation or hepatocellular carcinoma at the time of presentation were excluded. 43% (n = 23) were treated with NA, 43% (n = 23) received IFNα-based therapies and 13% (n = 7) were untreated.Liver cirrhosis was already present in 53% (28/53) of patients at first presentation. During follow-up, liver-related endpoints developed in 44% of all patients (n = 23). NA-treatment was associated with a significantly worse clinical outcome (P = .01; odds ratio [OR] = 4.92; CI = 1.51–16.01) compared to both, untreated (P = .38; OR = 0.46; CI = 0.80–2.61) and IFNα-based-treated patients (P = .04; OR = 0.29; CI = 0.89–0.94) in univariate logistic regression analysis. HBsAg levels declined by more than 50% during NA-based therapy in only 7 cases (7/23; mean time: 3.6 years; range: 0.8–8.5 years) and during IFNα-based therapy in 14 cases (14/23; mean time: 2.8 years, range 0.7–8.5 years). HDV RNA became undetectable during follow up in 30% of patients receiving NA alone (7/23; mean time: 5.0 years; range: 0.6–13.5 years), in 35% of patients receiving IFNα-based therapy (8/23; mean time: 2.9 years, range: 0.3–7.6 years).The effect of NA in patients with HBV/HDV co-infection is limited. Treatment with NA was associated with a higher likelihood of clinical disease progression. Interferon alpha therapy was beneficial in reducing liver complications and improves long-term outcome.     

Prevalence of occult HBV infection in haemodialysis patients with chronic HCV

AIM: To study the prevalence and clinical effects of occult HBV infection in haemodialysis patients with chronic HCV. METHODS: Fifty chronic hemodialysis patients with negative HbsAg, and positive anti-HCV were included in the study. These patients were divided into two groups: HCV-RNA positive and HCV-RNA negative, based on the results of HCV-RNA PCR. HBV-DNA was studied using the PCR method in both groups. RESULTS: None of the 22 HCV-RNA positive patients and 28 HCV-RNA negative patients revealed HBV-DNA in serum by PCR method. The average age was 47.2±17.0 in the HCV-RNA positive group and 39.6±15.6 in the HCV-RNA negative group. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of occult HBV infection is not high in haemodialysis patients with chronic HCV in our region. This result of our study has to be evaluated in consideration of the interaction between HBsAg positivity (8%-10%) and frequency of HBV mutants in our region.     

隐匿性HBV感染患者HBVS基因突变特点及突变病毒株致瘤性研究

目的 研究肝病人群中隐匿性HBV感染(occult hepatitisB virus infection,OBI)患者HBVS基因主要亲水区(major hydrophilic region,MHR)的突变特点及突变病毒株的致瘤性。方法 回顾性分析2011年9月—2016年3月中国人民解放军总医院第五医学中心血清库中收集的10359例样本及其患者临床资料,分析OBI检出率及其HBVS基因MHR突变特点。通过细胞增殖、平板克隆、细胞划痕、细胞小室迁移和细胞周期等实验方法,分析1株典型的新型突变病毒株的致瘤性。结果 筛查出血清HBsAg阴性及HBVDNA阳性的OBI患者14例,OBI检出率为0.191%(14/7323)。14例患者中检出9种MHR突变类型,其中新发现126-127“RPCMNCTI”插入和F161S2种突变。细胞肿瘤表型实验结果显示,与空载体对照组和野生组细胞相比,突变组细胞的增殖、克隆形成和迁移能力均明显增加(P均<0.05)。结论 本研究显示肝病人群中有较高的OBI检出率,且多数患者可检出文献报道的OBI相关突变。HBVS基因126-127“RPCMNCTI”插入新型突变具有促进肿瘤生长的细胞生物学特点,可能会增加慢性HBV感染患者向肝癌进展的潜在风险。     

HBV/HDV co‐infection in the Western Brazilian Amazonia: an intriguing mutation among HDV genotype 3 carriers

HDV infection still remains a serious public health problem in Amazonia. There are few data regarding the biomolecular aspects of HBV/HDV co‐infection in this region. We studied 92 patients HBsAg⁺/anti‐HDV IgG⁺ followed at the Hepatitis Referral Centers of Porto Velho (RO), Rio Branco and Cruzeiro do Sul (AC), Brazil, from March 2006 to March 2007 for whom the HDV and/or the HBV genotype could be determined. The HDV genotype could be determined in 90 patients, while the HBV genotypes could be positively determined in 74. HBV subgenotype F2 is the most prevalent (40.2%), followed by the subgenotypes A1 (15.2%) and D3 (8.7%), while 16.4% were other subgenotypes or genotypes, 4.3% were discordant and 15.2% were unamplifiable. Surprisingly, HDV genotype 3 (HDV‐3) was found in all of the HBV/HDV‐infected patients that could be genotyped for HDV, confirming that HDV‐3 can associate with non‐F HBV genotypes. However, a HDV‐3 mutant was found in 29.3% of patients and was more frequently associated with non‐F HBV genotypes (P < 0.001) than were nonmutant strains, suggesting that the mutation may facilitate association of HDV‐3 with non‐F HBV genotypes.     

多种肝脏疾病中隐匿性HBV感染检出率及其S基因MHR免疫逃逸相关突变特点分析

目的分析多种肝脏疾病中隐匿性HBV感染(occult HBV infection,OBI)检出率,并探讨OBI患者HBV S基因主要亲水区(major hydrophilic region,MHR)免疫逃逸相关突变特点。方法回顾性分析2005年1月—2017年12月就诊于中国人民解放军总医院第五医学中心的91037例HBV感染住院患者临床资料,筛选出OBI患者并扩增其HBV S基因序列,分析其HBV S基因MHR免疫逃逸相关突变特点。结果91037例住院患者中OBI总检出率为0.53%(487/91037),急性乙型肝炎患者中OBI检出率最高(9.26%,130/1404),肝硬化患者中OBI检出率最低(0.26%,78/29921)。62例OBI患者组与124例非OBI患者组相比,OBI患者组MHR免疫逃逸相关突变总体检出率显著高于非OBI患者组(59.68%vs.35.48%;P<0.05);OBI患者组MHR多个免疫逃逸相关突变的联合检出率显著高于非OBI患者组(43.55%vs.22.58%;P<0.05);其中,sT118K、sK122R和sV168A 3种单点突变的检出率显著高于非OBI患者组。结论本研究显示临床HBV感染患者中有较高的OBI检出率,而且不同肝脏疾病中OBI检出率不同。此外,HBV S基因MHR的免疫逃逸相关突变与临床实践中OBI的发生密切相关。     

HBsAb阳性隐匿性HBV感染者血清、肝组织HBV全基因序列分析

目的 了解HBsAb阳性隐匿性HBV感染者血清和肝组织中的HBV基因序列,并比较其差异性.方法 以1例长期随访HBsAb阳性隐匿性HBV感染者作为研究对象,用多种试剂盒检测其血清HBsAg、HBsAb,提取外周血血清和肝组织HBV DNA进行全基因组分段扩增,行序列测定及同源性比较.结果 多种试剂盒检测均提示该例患者HBsAg阴性、HBsAb阳性;血清HBV DNA为103～ 105拷贝/mL;血清和肝组织来源的HBV DNA全基因测序完全相同,均为3 215个碱基、B基因型,与参照序列核苷酸同源性为98.82％,各编码区均没有缺失或移码突变,不同编码区的核苷酸序列同源性为98.37％～ 100％,氨基酸序列同源性为98.18％～ 100％,在S区存在几种变异如PreS1的Q80H、S的C64Y、E164G、L175S,但前S区、“a”决定簇、1 762/1 764、1 896位点均未见变异.结论 HBsAb阳性隐匿性HBV感染者血清和肝组织来源的HBV基因序列无明显差异.     

Low prevalence of occult HBV infection among HIV-infected patients in southern Spain

IntroductionThe aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of occult HBV infection in HIV-positive patients in a centre in Southern Spain.MethodsThe HBV serological markers were investigated in all the patients and the presence of HBV-DNA was tested by PCR in patients with isolated anti-HBc.ResultsAn isolated anti-HBc pattern was detected in 144/520 (27.7%) patients. HBV-DNA was detected in one of these patients (0.7%).ConclusionsIn Southern Spain, there is a low prevalence of occult HBV infection among HIV-infected patients, despite increasing immigration from endemic countries.     

Immunohistochemical research of HDV infection in Chinese patients with chronic liver disease

The prevalence of HDAg in the liver of Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma was determined using direct immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase. Overall, 6 patients (6.31%) out of 95 HBsAg carriers with inflammatory liver disease and neoplasia were found to be HDAg positive. HDAg was detected in the livers of 6 (7.59%) out of 79 chronic hepatitis patients. The relative frequency of HDAg in cirrhosis-B, CAH-B and CPH-B was 14.3%, 7.1%, and 5.89%, respectively. These results suggest that a sizeable number of HBsAg carriers are also carriers of HDV. In view of the large number of HBV carriers in China, the relatively minor but distinct presence of HDV represents an important health problem.