Occult hepatitis B virus infection in liver transplant patients in a Brazilian referral center

Estimates of occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection prevalence varies amongdifferent studies depending on the prevalence of HBV infection in the studypopulation and on the sensitivity of the assay used to detect HBV DNA. Weinvestigated the prevalence of occult HBV infection in cirrhotic patients undergoingliver transplantation in a Brazilian referral center. Frozen liver samples from 68adults were analyzed using a nested polymerase chain reaction assay for HBV DNA. Thespecificity of the amplified HBV sequences was confirmed by direct sequencing of theamplicons. The patient population comprised 49 (72.1%) males and 19 (27.9%) femaleswith a median age of 53 years (range=18-67 years). Occult HBV infection was diagnosedin three (4.4%) patients. The etiologies of the underlying chronic liver disease inthese cases were alcohol abuse, HBV infection, and cryptogenic cirrhosis. Two of thepatients with cryptic HBV infection also presented hepatocellular carcinoma. Markersof previous HBV infection were available in two patients with occult HBV infectionand were negative in both. In conclusion, using a sensitive nested polymerase chainreaction assay to detect HBV DNA in frozen liver tissue, we found a low prevalence ofoccult HBV infection in cirrhotic patients undergoing liver transplant, probably dueto the low prevalence of HBV infection in our population.     

Viral deletions among healthy young Chinese adults with occult hepatitis B virus infection

To investigate the mechanism and prognosis of occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (OBI) at a molecular level among healthy young adults, the presence of HBV DNA in 1176 sera samples collected from healthy young people after neonatal vaccination was assessed by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using specific primers designed for the X and S regions of the HBV genome. Full-length HBV DNA from 9 patients with OBI (OB1-OB9) was cloned and sequenced. Deletions in the pre-S, basal core promoter (BCP), core (C) and polymerase (P) regions were observed. The data indicate that there is still a substantial risk of OBI in China despite neonatal vaccination. All deletions that were observed in the pre-S, BCP, C and P regions play a direct or indirect role in OBI. The presence of a deletion mutation in the pre-S1 region was considered to play a pivotal role in hepatocarcinogenesis and was found to increase the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in the cohorts studied.     

Distribution of hepatitis B virus in the liver of chronic hepatitis C patients with occult hepatitis B virus infection

Although occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (HBV-DNA in serum in the absence of hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg]) is common in chronic hepatitis C, its characteristics are not well known. In this work, the presence of HBV-DNA (by polymerase chain reaction; PCR) and its distribution (by in situ hybridization) in liver biopsies and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 32 patients with chronic hepatitis C and occult HBV infection and in 20 HBsAg chronic carriers were determined. The results showed that serum HBV-DNA levels were statistically lower (P = 0.001) in patients with occult HBV infection than in HBsAg chronic carriers. The HBV infection pattern in liver cells was identical between patients with occult HBV infection and those with chronic hepatitis B. However, the mean percentage of HBV-infected hepatocytes was significantly lower (P = 0.001) in patients with occult HBV infection (5 +/- 4.44%) than in HBsAg chronic carriers (17.99 +/- 11.58%). All patients with chronic hepatitis B have HBV-DNA in their PBMCs while this occurred in 50% of the cases with occult HBV infection. In conclusion, patients with occult HBV infection have a low number of HBV-infected hepatocytes and this fact could explain the lack of HBsAg detection and low viremia levels found in these cases.     

High prevalence of occult hepatitis B virus infection in Taiwanese intravenous drug users

The epidemiology and impact of occult HBV infection in intravenous drug users remain largely unknown. The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of occult HBV infection among intravenous drug users in Taiwan. Molecular assays were used to determine the level of serum HBV DNA and the genotype in 304 intravenous drug users negative for both HBsAg and anti-HCV. Of 304 intravenous drug users, 125 (41.1%) were positive for serum HBV DNA. The genotype distribution of HBV was as follows: B, 55 (44%); C, 29 (23%); and mixed B and C infections, 41 (33%). The mean and median serum HBV DNA levels in 125 intravenous drug users with occult HBV infection were 4.0 +/- 0.6 and 4.0 log(10) copies/ml, respectively. The mean serum HBV DNA level in carriers with mixed genotype B and C infections was significantly higher than those infected with HBV genotype B or genotype C alone (mean, 4.2 +/- 0.6 log(10) vs. 3.9 +/- 0.5 log(10), and 3.9 +/- 0.7 log(10) copies/ml, P = 0.01 and 0.05, respectively). The amino acid sequence determination of HBV surface gene in 20 intravenous drug users with occult HBV infection selected at random showed no mutation of amino acid at codon 145. In conclusion, the prevalence of occult HBV infection and mixed HBV genotype infections are not uncommon in intravenous drug users residing in an HBV endemic areas. In addition, intravenous drug users with occult mixed genotype B and C infections have significantly higher viral loads than those with occult infection of single HBV genotype.     

Clinical features and treatment efficacy of peginterferon alfa plus ribavirin in chronic hepatitis C patients coinfected with hepatitis B virus

Background/Aims

Cross-sectional studies have documented that 2-10% of patients who are chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) are also positive for hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAg). Data related to HCV-HBV coinfection are lacking in Korea. This study evaluated the clinical characteristics, the treatment efficacy of peginterferon alfa plus ribavirin, and the changes induced by such treatment in HBV status in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients coinfected with HBV.

Methods

Eighteen (2.37%) HBsAg-positive CHC patients were selected from among the 758 subjects from the K(G)yeonggi-Incheon Peginterferon alfa and ribavirin in chronic hepatitis C Treatment (KIPECT) study, which evaluated the treatment efficacy and safety of peginterferon alfa plus ribavirin in CHC patients. Data on changes in the status of HBV infections were obtained.

Results

HCV genotype 1b was the most common (44%). The overall sustained virologic response rate was 72% in all patients, and 60% and 87.5% in genotypes 1 and 2, respectively. Two of the 18 patients were positive for HBeAg, and 15 had baseline HBV DNA level of less than 2,000 IU/mL. Two of the three whose levels exceeded this threshold showed no detectable DNA after treatment. After the completion of treatment, serum HBV DNA levels were increased in the two patients whose baseline HBV DNA levels were less than 2,000 IU/mL.

Conclusions

The prevalence of HBV coinfection in CHC patients was 2.37% and most of the patients were inactive carriers. The treatment efficacy was similar to that of HCV mono-infection. Reactivation of HBV replication was observed in some patients after CHC treatment.     

中国北方地区隐源性肝炎及乙型肝炎表面抗原阴性肝癌患者中隐匿性HBV感染流行状况分析

目的调查中国北方地区隐源性肝炎及乙肝表面抗原（HBsAg）阴性肝癌患者中隐匿性乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）感染的流行状况。方法收集393个受试者的血清,其中包括隐源性慢性肝炎患者215名、HBsAg阴性肝癌患者178名。使用巢式PCR的方法检测血清中的HBV-DNA,同时使用实时定量PCR的方法检测HBV—DNA的载量。结果在隐源性慢性肝炎患者、HBsAg阴性肝癌患者中隐匿性HBV感染流行率分别为23．7％（51／215）和68．5％（122／178）。在IgGanti—HBc阳性者中,隐匿性HBV感染率较高。所有隐匿性感染者的病毒载量均较低（〈10^5拷贝／ml）。结论在中国北方隐源性肝炎及肝癌患者中,隐匿性HBV感染率较高。因此,对隐匿性HBV感染应给及足够的重视,避免因输血及器官移植造成HBV的传播。     

Concurrent hepatitis C virus and hepatitis delta virus superinfection in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection.

Since hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis delta virus (HDV) are transmitted by the same routes as hepatitis B virus (HBV), simultaneous or concurrent HCV and HDV infection in patients with chronic HBV infection may occur. To test this hypothesis and to examine the clinicohistological and immunopathological presentations of such multiple hepatitis virus infections, acute and/or convalescent serum specimens from 86 patients with acute HDV superinfection were tested by enzyme immunoassay for antibodies to HCV. Of the 86 patients, 18 (20.9%) were associated with HCV infection. Although patients with early mortality cannot be evaluated by the HCV markers used in this study, the results showed that the clinical and histologic features were similar except that patients with HCV infection were older than those without HCV infection (P less than 0.01). Immunopathological studies carried out within 2 months after the onset of acute HDV superinfection demonstrated that hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) was not detected in any patient and HDV antigen was detected in 18.2% of the patients with HCV infection whereas HBcAg and HDAg were found in 7% and 65.1%, respectively, of those without HCV coinfection (P less than 0.02). It is concluded that concurrent HCV and HDV superinfections can and do occur in patients with chronic HBV infection. In these triple viral infections, HCV may even transiently suppress HDV and HBV.     

Long-term follow-up of hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus replicative levels in chronic hepatitis patients coinfected with both viruses

Dual infection with hepatitis B and C viruses is often encountered in endemic areas of both viruses. However, understanding of the clinical and virological implications is limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of each virus in liver injury and the interaction between the two viruses in dual infection with hepatitis B and C viruses. Three patients who had chronic infection with both hepatitis B and C viruses were examined, and a longitudinal study of both serum hepatitis B virus DNA and hepatitis C virus RNA levels over 4 years was undertaken. The results were correlated with serum alanine aminotransferase levels. Serum alanine aminotransferase values showed a relationship with hepatitis B virus replicative levels, but not with hepatitis C virus replicative levels in all 3 patients. Serial changes of replicative levels of both viruses were studied, and it was found that hepatitis C virus replicative levels were enhanced after the decline of hepatitis B virus replication in 1 of the 3 patients. In the remaining 2 patients, a transient rise of hepatitis C virus replicative levels in association with a decrease of hepatitis B virus replication was also observed during part of the follow-up period. These findings indicate that hepatitis B virus may play a dominant etiological role in liver injury, and that a suppressive action between hepatitis B and C viruses may occur in dual infection with both viruses. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

泛昔洛韦治疗HBV慢性感染的临床研究

目的：观察泛昔洛韦对HBV慢性感染抗病毒的治疗效果。方法：慢性乙型肝炎患者89例，采用随机对照分组，和单用泛昔洛韦治疗组32例，和单用α－干扰素29例和单用拉米夫定28例两个对照组，对比观察三组抗病毒治疗效果。结果：治疗组泛昔洛韦血清HBV DNA阴转率40．62％（13／32），HBeAg阴转率21．88％（7／32）；对照组α－干扰素血清HBV DNA阴转率37．93％（11／29），HBeAg阴转率41．38％（12／29）；拉米夫定血清HBV DNA阴转率67．90％（19／28），HBeAg阴转率21．43％（6／28）。治疗组HBV DNA阴转时间最短1个月，最长3个月，平均1．3个月，无1例出现严重不良反应。结论：泛昔洛韦治疗HBV慢性感染安全有效。     

Virological significance of low-level hepatitis B virus infection in patients with hepatitis C virus associated liver disease

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is an important cause of morbidity in solid organ recipients. Early markers to identify the progress of the infection and patients at high risk are required in order to apply a strategy of pre-emptive therapy. The efficacy of pre-emptive therapy relies on accurate laboratory tests to monitor CMV infection. The evaluation of CMV DNA kinetics by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is widely used for the management of CMV infection but markers predicting the progression of the infection and standardization of the technique are essential for the clinical interpretation of PCR results. A commercially available PCR system, the COBAS AMPLICOR Monitor (Roche Diagnostics, Brachburg, NJ), was used for the quantitation of CMV DNA in weekly blood samples (n = 504) from 47 solid organ recipients in the first 6 months after transplantation. PCR results were evaluated according to the development of clinical disease in order to find a DNA threshold and time points predicting the progression of CMV infection. Week 4 from transplantation was the earliest time point to note a significant difference between those patients who eventually developed CMV disease (n = 30) and those who remained asymptomatically infected (n = 17). At week 4, viral loads were significantly higher in patients who developed CMV disease than in asymptomatic infections (median value: 4 log(10)/10(6) leukocytes vs. 2.8, P < 0.0001). At week 4, a DNA level >/=4 log(10)/10(6) leukocytes was associated with a 45.37 odds ratio for CMV disease. Any increase >/=1 log from the first DNA detection to week 4 correlated with the clinical progression of CMV infection (odds ratio 1.74). In those patients who were treated with anti-CMV therapy, a >97% reduction of the baseline viral load was associated with a complete therapeutic success. In conclusion, CMV infection is a highly dynamic process and the quantitation of CMV DNA by PCR is a powerful marker to control successfully the infection, but a strict follow-up of the recipient and standardized PCR tests are mandatory for the best management of the infection.     

The degrees of hepatocyte cytoplasmic expression of hepatitis B core antigen correlate with histologic activity of liver disease in the young patients with chronic hepatitis B infection

Subcellular localizaton of HBcAg have been found to be related to the activity of liver disease and HBV replication. The aim of this study was to determine whether the degree of expression of HBcAg in the hepatocyte nucleus and cytoplasm reflects the level of viral replication and histological activity in chronic HBV infection. A total of 102 patients with biopsy proven chronic hepatitis B were included. There was a highly significant correlation between the levels of HBV DNA in serum and the degree of expression of HBcAg in the nucleus for HBeAg-positive(p=0.000) and negative patients(p=0.04). There was a highly significant, correlation between the degrees of expression of HBcAg in hepatocyte cytoplasm and histologic activities (p<0.01) for HBeAg-positive patients. The degrees of expression of HBcAg in the hepatocyte cytoplasm correlated positively with the lobular activities (p<0.01), but not correlated with the portal activity and fibrosis for HBeAg-negative patients. In conclusion, in the young patients with chronic B viral hepatitis, the degree of expression of HBcAg in the hepatocyte nucleus may affect viral load, and the degree of expression of HBcAg in the hepatocyte cytoplasm may affect histologic activities of liver disease.     

Occult hepatitis B virus infection in patients with leprosy

Leprosy patients may present with immune system impairment and have a higher hepatitis B virus (HBV) seroprevalence, justifying the investigation of occult HBV infection in these individuals. The aim of this study was to verify the frequency and the clinical factors associated with occult HBV infection in leprosy patients. Between 2015 and 2016, leprosy patients from a reference center in Brazil were interviewed to assess clinical data. Blood samples were collected for the screening of HBV serological markers using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Patients with negative hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) that had positive anti-HBc and/or anti-HBs were selected for HBV DNA detection using real-time polymerase chain reaction. SPSS was used for data analysis. Among 114 selected patients, six were identified with occult infection (5.3%) and five of them with multibacillary leprosy. Three patients with occult infection had a history of a type 2 reaction (P = 0.072; OR, 4.97; 95% CI, 0.87-28.52). Only two patients with occult infection had isolated anti-HBc, while three had isolated anti-HBs, including those with the highest HBV DNA titers. In conclusion, in leprosy patients with negative HBsAg and positive anti-HBc and/or anti-HBs, occult HBV infection occurs in 5.3% and can be found even in patients with isolated anti-HBs.     

乙肝病毒感染与乙肝病毒相关性肾炎间的关系分析

目的 探讨研究乙肝病毒(HBV)感染与乙肝病毒相关性肾炎之间的关系.方法 对124例资料完整的HBV相关肾炎(HBV-related glomerulonephritis,HBV-GN,)患者的血清病毒学、肾脏及肝脏病理学和常规实验室检查结果进行回顾分析研究.结果 124例血清HBsAg和/或HBeAg阳性的患者中,HBV-GN的发生率69.49％,男性发生率(45.0％)显著高于女性(24.49％),P＜0.05.血清HBeAg阳性组HBV-GN的发生率显著高于HBeAg阴性组.HBV DNA定量＞105 copies/mL组HBV-GN的发生率亦显著高于定量＜105 copies/mL组.HBV-GN患者血清HBeAg阳性与阴性组之间比较,24小时尿蛋白定量及内生肌醉清除率均无显著差异.血清HBV DNA定量＞105copies/mL组与定量＜ 105 copies/mL组之间比较24小时尿蛋白定量与内生肌酐清除率亦无显著差异.HBV-GN患者肾组织局部HBcAg沉积阳性组与阴性组相比较,24小时尿蛋白定量有显著性差异(P＜0.05),而内生肌酐清除率无显著性差异.结论 HBV感染及其复制状态与HBV-GN的发生密切相关;但HBV的复制状态可能并不明显影响HBV-GN患者肾、肝组织的病变程度.     

Sequence analysis of pre-S/surface and pre-core/core promoter genes of hepatitis B virus in chronic hepatitis C patients with occult HBV infection

Although occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in individuals without detectable hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) may occur and has been reported to be common in patients with chronic hepatitis C, the related molecular mechanisms remain unknown. With the polymerase chain reaction, serum HBV DNA was sought in 100 HBsAg-negative patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infection. In those with occult HBV infection, possible genomic variability of HBV was evaluated by amplification and direct sequencing of pre-S, surface, and pre-core/core promoter genes. In total, 10 of the 100 patients (10%) had detectable serum HBV DNA, documenting an occult HBV infection. A deletion mutant in the pre-S gene was found in one patient and mutations of the a determinant of HBsAg were observed in 2. In addition, a novel core promoter mutant (a dinucleotide substitution: T-to-C at nucleotide 1,802 and T-to-G at nucleotide 1,803, T1802C/T1803G) was found frequently in patients with occult HBV infection as compared to sex- and age-matched HBsAg-positive patients (80 vs. 10%, P < 0.001). In conclusion, the data suggest occult HBV infection is not uncommon in chronic hepatitis C patients in Taiwan, and a novel core promoter mutant may be associated with the absence of circulating HBsAg in these patients.     

Molecular characterization and functional analysis of occult hepatitis B virus infection in Chinese patients infected with genotype C

Occult HBV infection is defined as the persistence of HBV DNA in individuals negative for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg), and many different mechanisms have been reported in different countries. However, in China, one of the endemic areas for HBV infection, no reports have been published on occult HBV infection. The present study investigated the virological features and the mechanism of occult HBV infection in China. Full‐length HBV DNA from eight patients with occult HBV infection (S1–S8) and three HBsAg‐positive cases (SWT1–SWT3) was cloned and sequenced. Additionally, four entire linear HBV genomes from occult cases were transfected transiently into HepG2 cells. The sequencing results showed two major mutations in patients with occult HBV infection as follows: deletions in the pre‐S1 (S3, S4, and S7) and X (S1, S2, and S5) regions. Such deletions covered the S promoter and the basal core promoter (BCP), and function analysis of these variants also showed a decrease in DNA replication and antigen expression. Two patients with occult infection (S6 and S8) had no mutations capable of interfering with viral replication and gene expression in the major viral population. Thus, the deletions in the S promoter and the BCP regions that disable the regulatory elements may be the reason for the absence of HBsAg, and multiple mechanisms may be responsible for occult HBV infection. J. Med. Virol. 81:826–835, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

拉米夫定治疗慢性乙型肝炎HBV DNA阴转疗效影响因素研究

目的探讨拉米夫定治疗慢性乙型肝炎患者疗效的影响因素。方法对拉米夫定治疗的慢乙肝202例和乙型肝炎肝硬化（简称乙肝肝硬化）55例患者，采用聚合酶链反应及错配聚合酶链反应限制性片段长度多态性分析的方法检测HBV DNA及乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）聚合酶YMDD变异，应用SPSS统计软件对基线ALT、AST、TBIL、白蛋白、球蛋白、HBeAg（高、中、低）、HBV DNA等共10个变量作为处理因素进行统计学检验。结果随治疗时间的延长，慢乙肝和肝硬化者HBV DNA的阴转率于3、6、12、18、24、30个月分另1为87．62％、95．04％、86．63％、82．65％、75．43％、77．27％和94．54％、98．18％、81-81％、74．35％、73．91％、63．63％，时序检验及Cox回归分析结果表明：联合干扰素、基线ALT水平较高、HBV DNA水平较低和基线白蛋白水平较低，与HBV DNA转阴率高相关。结论联合干扰素、基线ALT水平较高、HBV DNA水平较低和基线白蛋白水平较低可作为HBV DNA转阴的预测因素。     

苦参碱对慢性乙型肝炎患者T细胞亚群的影响

目的探讨苦参碱治射液对慢性乙型肝炎患者外周血T细胞免疫的影响。方法采用SAP法检测30例慢性乙型肝炎患者外周血T细胞亚群。结果有2例感染者达到完全应答,12例部分应答,16例无应答;苦参碱治疗后外周血CD3 T细胞较治疗前明显增高,应答组CD4 T细胞显著高于无应答组。结论用苦参碱治疗慢性乙型肝炎患者可以影响患者T细胞免疫,使患者CD4 T细胞水平明显增高。