Related Experiment Videos
Hepatitis B precore mutant in children with chronic hepatitis B virus infection
T Fujisawa1, A Inui, H Komatsu
1Department of Pediatrics, National Defense Medical College, Saitama, Japan. fujitomo@ndmc.ac.jp
Background:
In adults, hepatitis B virus (HBV) with a G to A point mutation at nucleotide 83 in the precore region (mutant HBV 83), is commonly found in HB e antibody positive HBV carriers. It has been reported that this mutant is not able to produce HB e antigen. The exact prevalence of mutant HBV 83 in patients with chronic HBV infection is not fully understood, especially in children.
Methods:
To investigate the role of mutant HBV 83 in children with chronic HBV infection, sera were tested for the presence of mutant HBV 83 using a mutation site-specific assay.
Results:
Mutant HBV 83 was detected in 15 of 22 children (68%). Seven children were followed longitudinally, of which three were asymptomatic carriers and the other four had chronic hepatitis B on entry. There was no clear relationship between the disease activity and the presence of mutant HBV 83.
Conclusions:
It was concluded that mutant HBV 83 is commonly present in children with chronic HBV infection and this mutant is not necessarily associated with activation of hepatitis.
Insights
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) precore G to A mutation at nucleotide 83 (mutant HBV 83) is common in children with chronic HBV infection. This mutant is not necessarily linked to hepatitis activation.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) precore G to A point mutation at nucleotide 83 (mutant HBV 83) is prevalent in adult HBV carriers.
- Mutant HBV 83 is reportedly unable to produce HB e antigen.
- The prevalence of mutant HBV 83 in pediatric chronic HBV infection remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and role of mutant HBV 83 in children with chronic HBV infection.
- To determine if mutant HBV 83 is associated with disease activity in pediatric HBV infection.
Main Methods:
- Sera from children with chronic HBV infection were analyzed.
- A mutation site-specific assay was employed to detect mutant HBV 83.
Main Results:
- Mutant HBV 83 was detected in 68% (15/22) of the children studied.
- Longitudinal follow-up of seven children revealed no clear correlation between disease activity and the presence of mutant HBV 83.
- Three of the followed children were asymptomatic carriers, while four had chronic hepatitis B at enrollment.
Conclusions:
- Mutant HBV 83 is frequently found in children with chronic HBV infection.
- The presence of mutant HBV 83 does not appear to be directly associated with hepatitis activation in pediatric cases.