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Posttransfusion fulminant hepatitis B associated with precore-defective HBV mutants
M Kojima1, M Shimizu, T Tsuchimochi
1Kojima Internal Clinic, Gifu-Ken, Japan.
Vox Sanguinis
|January 1, 1991
Summary
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) mutants with precore region defects caused fulminant hepatitis B after blood transfusions. Screening blood for antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) can prevent these severe cases.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Transfusion Medicine
Background:
- Fulminant hepatitis B is a severe liver disease.
- Routine screening may not detect all hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the role of HBV mutations in posttransfusion fulminant hepatitis B.
- Determine if screening for anti-HBc can prevent transfusion-related hepatitis B.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed HBV DNA clones from patients with fulminant hepatitis B.
- Sequenced precore regions of HBV DNA.
- Tested blood donor plasma for antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc).
Main Results:
- All analyzed HBV DNA clones from recipients showed precore region defects.
- A common point mutation (G to A at nucleotide 83) creating a stop codon was found in most clones.
- HBV DNA from a blood unit with high-titered anti-HBc showed identical precore defects.
Conclusions:
- HBV mutants with precore defects are implicated in posttransfusion fulminant hepatitis B.
- Excluding blood units with high-titered anti-HBc may prevent transfusion-associated hepatitis B.