Frequency-dependent selection drives HBeAg seroconversion in chronic hepatitis B virus infection

Brook G Warner1, William G H Abbott, Allen G Rodrigo

  • 1Bioinformatics Institute, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92-019, Auckland, New Zealand; The New Zealand Liver Transplant Unit, Auckland City Hospital, Private Bag 92-024, Auckland, New Zealand; Biology Department, Duke University, 125 Science Drive, Durham, NC 27708, USA.

Summary

HBeAg seroconversion in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is key to controlling viral replication. This study proposes a new hypothesis: HBeAg-negative variants emerge due to metabolic costs, driving immune recognition and seroconversion via frequency-dependent selection.

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