X region deletion mutants associated with surface antigen-positive hepatitis B virus infections.
BACKGROUND/AIMS: The finding of antibodies against the polymerase of hepatitis B virus in renal dialysis patients before the incubation phase of infection implies underlying virus replication. Hence, the aim of the study was to test for virus during infection. METHODS: Viremia was assayed in virus-infected and control patients using the polymerase chain reaction and Southern blotting. RESULTS: Six months before the appearance of surface antigen, most patients had detectable core region, but few patients were X region positive. Three months after surface antigen appeared, most carriers had detectable core and X products. Three years after surface antigen appeared, 5 of 8 carriers with persistent hepatitis B e antigen and 1 of 8 carriers with corresponding antibody had these products. Cloning and sequencing showed deletions within the X/precore region of viral DNA. CONCLUSIONS: Infection with X region mutants precedes that of wild-type virus, and they reappear after wild-type virus is eliminated in carriers.[1]References
- X region deletion mutants associated with surface antigen-positive hepatitis B virus infections. Feitelson, M.A., Duan, L.X., Guo, J., Blumberg, B.S. Gastroenterology (1995) [Pubmed]
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