Detection and molecular characterisation of a diagnosis escape variant associated with occult hepatitis B virus in Brazil



Document title: Detection and molecular characterisation of a diagnosis escape variant associated with occult hepatitis B virus in Brazil
Journal: Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz
Database: PERIÓDICA
System number: 000405564
ISSN: 0074-0276
Authors: 1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Institutions: 1Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro. Brasil
Year:
Season: Jul
Volumen: 112
Number: 7
Pages: 485-491
Country: Brasil
Language: Inglés
Document type: Artículo
Approach: Experimental, aplicado
English abstract Many studies have identified mutations in the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) as important factors limiting the ability of commercial serological assays to detect this viral antigen. However, an association between mutations in the HBsAg gene and the occurrence of occult HBV infection (OBI) in patients has not been established. OBJECTIVES To detect hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in patients with anti-HBc as a unique serological marker, a previously published, cost-effective TaqMan-based real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test with minor groove binding probes was adapted for use in this study. The current study also aimed to investigate HBsAg mutations and genotypes of HBV in OBI at the Viral Hepatitis Ambulatory Clinic in Rio de Janeiro to determine any possible association. METHODS Intra-assay and inter-assay reproducibility were determined, and the mean coefficient of variation values obtained were 2.07 and 3.5, respectively. Probit analysis indicated that the 95% detection level was 25 IU/mL. The prevalence of OBI was investigated in 35 serum samples with an ‘anti-HBc alone’ profile from individuals who attended our clinic between 2011 and 2013. FINDINGS HBV DNA was detected in only one sample, resulting in an OBI rate of 2.9%. Nucleotide sequencing of the pre-S/S region was performed to genotype and analyse mutations within the HBsAg gene of this HBV DNA. The HBV in the OBI case was classified as sub-genotype A1, and a sequence analysis of the small S gene revealed 12 mutations in the major hydrophilic region compared to the consensus A1 sequence. Most of these mutations occurred in amino acid residues that have been reported as clinically relevant because they have been implicated in vaccine escape and/or inability to detect HBsAg by commercial serological assays. MAIN CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests the importance of specific HBsAg mutations, different from those in D, B, and C genotypes, in sub-geno
Disciplines: Medicina
Keyword: Diagnóstico,
Gastroenterología,
Hepatitis B,
Virus de la hepatitis B,
Mutaciones,
Genotipificación
Keyword: Medicine,
Diagnosis,
Gastroenterology,
Hepatitis B,
Hepatitis B virus,
Mutations,
Genotyping
Full text: Texto completo (Ver HTML)