Molecular and serological characterization of occult hepatitis B infection in blood donors from Mexico
Journal Title: Annals of Hepatology - Year 2011, Vol 10, Issue 2
Abstract
Occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (OBI) is characterized by presence of HBV DNA in blood or liver tissue without detectable HBV surface antigen (HBsAg), with or without antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) or antibodies against HBsAg (anti-HBs). A molecular and serological characterization was done of OBI in blood donors from Yucatan, Mexico. HBV DNA was found in 24 (6.4%) of the 372 evaluated samples. Anti-HBs was present in 15/24 samples (62.5%), and no significant difference was observed between HBV DNA positivity and anti-HBs levels. HBV genotype H was detected in 66.7% of samples, followed by genotypes D (20.8%) and F (8.3%). Amino acid substitutions were identified in the core region of nine samples, and most of these changes were located in immunodominant epitopes. No precore stop codon 28 mutant (W28Stop) was identified among the analyzed HBV isolates. In conclusion, genotype H is the main circulating HBV strain among OBI blood donors from Yucatan, Mexico. Mutations in the core region may contribute to viral persistence.
Authors and Affiliations
Beatriz García-Montalvo, Laura Ventura-Zapata
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP78018
- DOI -
- Views 134
- Downloads 0
Hormone replacement therapy in menopausal women: risk factor or protection to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease?
Impact of sustained virologic response on quality of life in chronic HVC carriers
[b]Introduction[/b]. It is known that patients with chronic hepatitis C have a lower health-related quality of life (HRQOL) than the general population and evidence suggests that the hepatitis C virus (HCV) could exert d...
Unexpected discovery of massive liver echinococcosis. A clinical, morphological, and functional diagnosis
We report a case of symptomatic massive liver echinococcosis due to Echinococcus granulosus, unexpectedly found in a 34 year old woman living in Apulia, Italy. Based on size (max diameter 18 cm), clinical presentation, g...
Introductory message from the President of the Latin American Association or the Study of the Liver
Kava hepatotoxicity - a clinical review
This review critically analyzes the clinical data of patients with suspected kava hepatotoxicity and suggests recommendations for minimizing risk. Kava is a plant (Piper methysticum) of the pepper family Piperaceae, and...