Related Experiment Videos
[HBs antigen mutants: prevalence, clinical and diagnostic implications]
A-M Roque-Afonso1, M-P Ferey, D Belkhiri
1Laboratoire de virologie, UPRES 3541, hôpital Paul-Brousse, 12 avenue Paul-Vaillant-Couturier, 94804 Villejuif, France. anne-marie.roque@pbr.aphp.fr
Pathologie-Biologie
|August 16, 2005
Summary
Genetic variants in hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen can cause false negatives in diagnostic tests. These mutations, common in HBV patients, may impact transfusion safety and diagnostic accuracy.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Genetics
Context:
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) serological diagnosis relies on detecting the surface antigen (HBsAg).
- Genetic variants in the HBsAg major hydrophilic region can lead to diagnostic antibody binding issues.
- Previous studies identified variants in vaccinated individuals, transplant patients, and those with occult HBV infections.
Purpose:
- To estimate the prevalence of substitutions in the HBsAg major hydrophilic region.
- To analyze the association of these substitutions with lamivudine resistance.
- To assess the potential impact of these genetic changes on diagnostic assay reliability.
Summary:
- 55 HBV S gene sequences from 2002-2004 were analyzed for polymorphism in the HBsAg major hydrophilic region.
- Substitutions in this region were found in 56% of patients, with 33% associated with lamivudine resistance mutations.
- Amino acid changes at positions 133, 134, 144, and 145 were most frequent, with D144 and G145 linked to immune escape.
Impact:
- Mutations in the HBsAg major hydrophilic region are prevalent and can alter physicochemical properties.
- These alterations may affect antibody binding, potentially causing false-negative diagnostic results.
- The findings highlight implications for transfusion safety and the reliability of HBV diagnostic assays.