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Detection of Low Copy Number Integrated Viral DNA Formed by In Vitro Hepatitis B Infection
Published on: November 7, 2018
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CHRONIC HEPATITIS WITH DOUBLE B/C INFECTION: VIROLOGICAL, CLINICAL, MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Klinicheskaia Meditsina
|September 29, 2017
Summary
Chronic viral hepatitis (CVH) with concurrent Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection affects 30.1% of patients. Latent HBV infection shows specific mutations, while viremia correlates with higher liver disease severity.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Chronic viral hepatitis (CVH) poses a significant global health burden.
- Coinfection with Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) presents complex clinical challenges.
- Understanding the virological and clinical spectrum of HBV/HCV coinfection is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the virological and clinical characteristics of chronic viral hepatitis (CVH) in patients with dual Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection.
- To correlate viral load and specific mutations with disease activity and severity in HBV/HCV coinfection.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 282 patients with CVH.
- Detection and characterization of HBV and HCV genomes and proteins using PCR and immunohistochemistry.
- Sequencing of HBV genome to identify mutations.
- Assessment of liver injury using histological activity index (HAI), fibrosis staging, and portal vein congestion index (CI).
Main Results:
- Dual HBV/HCV infection was identified in 30.1% of CVH patients, predominantly HCV-dominated.
- Patients with latent HBV infection exhibited precore/core and pre-S mutations in the HBV genome and cytoplasmic HBcorAg.
- Highest liver disease activity, fibrosis, and portal vein congestion were observed in patients with HBV/HCV viremia.
- Lowest disease indices were found in patients with intrahepatic localization of both viruses without viremia.
Conclusions:
- Dual HBV/HCV infection is prevalent in CVH patients, with HCV often dominating.
- Latent HBV infection in coinfection is associated with specific HBV genome mutations.
- Viral load (viremia) is a key determinant of liver inflammation, fibrosis, and portal hypertension severity in HBV/HCV coinfection.
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