Acute Hepatitis B Virus (acute + hepatitis_b_virus)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Influence of genotypes and precore mutations on fulminant or chronic outcome of acute hepatitis B virus infection,,

HEPATOLOGY, Issue 2 2006
Atsushi Ozasa
The outcome of acute hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is variable, influenced by host and viral factors. From 1982 through 2004, 301 patients with acute HBV infection entered a multi-center cross-sectional study in Japan. Patients with fulminant hepatitis (n = 40) were older (44.7 ± 16.3 vs. 36.0 ± 14.3 years, P < .0017), less predominantly male (43% vs. 71%, P = .0005), less positive for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) (23% vs. 60%, P < .0001), less infected with subgenotype Ae (0% vs. 13%, P < .05), and more frequently with Bj (30% vs. 4%, P < .0001) than those with acute self-limited hepatitis (n = 261). Precore (G1896A) and core-promoter (A1762T/G1764A) mutations were more frequent in patients with fulminant than acute self-limited hepatitis (53% vs. 9% and 50% vs. 17%, P < .0001 for both). HBV infection persisted in only three (1%) patients, and they represented 2 of the 23 infected with Ae and 1 of the 187 with the other subgenotypes (9% vs. 0.5%, P = .032); none of them received antiviral therapy. In multivariate analysis, age 34 years or older, Bj, HBeAg-negative, total bilirubin 10.0 mg/dL or greater, and G1896A mutation were independently associated with the fulminant outcome. In in vitro transfection experiments, the replication of Bj clone was markedly enhanced by introducing either G1896A or A1762T/G1764A mutation. In conclusion, persistence of HBV was rare (1%) and associated with Ae, whereas fulminant hepatitis was frequent (13%) and associated with Bj and lack of HBeAg as well as high replication due to precore mutation in patients with acute HBV infection. (HEPATOLOGY 2006;44:326,334.) [source]


Impact of determination of hepatitis B virus subgenotype and pre-core/core-promoter mutation for the prediction of acute exacerbation of asymptomatic carriers

HEPATOLOGY RESEARCH, Issue 4 2009
Tadashi Ikegami
Aim:, A large cohort study in Japan revealed that the specific viral profile may influence the fulminant outcome in acute hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections, while the genetic influence on outcome has not been clarified in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic liver disease caused by HBV. We experienced a case of fatal liver failure that developed as the result of chronic HBV infection. To determine possible genetic factor involving acute exacerbation, genetic analysis of serum from the patient and his siblings was performed. Methods:, HBV subgenotype as well as pre-core/core-promoter mutations of samples mentioned above were determined. Results:, Patient had HBV-Bj with pre-core (1896/1899) and core-promoter (1762/1764) mutations, the genomic profile frequently seen in fulminant hepatitis caused by acute HBV infection. Conclusion:, This result suggests that determination of the HBV subgenotype and pre-core/core promoter mutations could provide a rationale for development of a treatment strategy in asymptomatic HBV carriers. [source]


A longitudinal analysis of cytotoxic T lymphocyte precursor frequencies to the hepatitis B virus in chronically infected patients

JOURNAL OF VIRAL HEPATITIS, Issue 1 2001
G. K. Sing
Individuals with acute hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection characteristically mount a strong, multispecific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response that is effective in eradicating virus. In contrast, this response in chronic carriers is usually weak or undetectable. Since it is generally acknowledged that HBV pathogenesis is immune-mediated, the occurrence of episodes of active liver disease in many carriers suggests that these individuals can mount active CTL responses to HBV. To see whether the detection of circulating CTLs is related to these flare episodes, we have determined the CTL precursor (CTLp) frequencies to HLA-A2-restricted viral peptides in seven patients over a 12,24-month period of their disease. Limiting dilution analyses (LDA) were performed longitudinally to five epitopes comprising the viral capsid (HBc), envelope (HBs) and polymerase (pol) proteins. Assays were performed against a mixture of peptides, or against each individual peptide, to measure overall CTL activity and the multispecificity of the responses, respectively. Since two of the patients were treated with recombinant human interleukin-12 (rHuIL-12) at the time, with one individual achieving complete disease remission a year later after being treated with interferon-,, we were also able to examine the effects of these cytokines on HBV cytotoxicity. Our results indicate that weak but detectable CTL responses do occur in chronic carriers which are generally associated with disease flares, although CTLps were also seen occasionally during minimal disease activity. The range of specificities varied between individuals and within each individual during the course of the disease. Finally, we also provide evidence that CTL reactivity is stimulated following treatment with certain cytokines, but is dependent on the time of administration. [source]


Single nucleotide insertion in the 5,-untranslated region of hepatitis C virus with clearance of the viral RNA in a liver transplant recipient during acute hepatitis B virus superinfection

LIVER INTERNATIONAL, Issue 1 2002
Consolato Sergi
Abstract: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is an important etiology in patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) world-wide. Antiviral therapy-related clearance of HCV RNA may occur both in patients with chronic HCV infection and in transplanted patients for HCV-related liver cirrhosis, but the role of the 5,-untranslated region (UTR) of HCV containing the internal ribosome entry site (IRES), which directs the translation of the viral open reading frame has not hitherto been evaluated. We studied the 5,-UTR in an HCV-infected recipient of a liver graft that showed spontaneous clearance of HCV RNA during an acute hepatitis B virus (HBV) superinfection. Sequencing of the 5,-UTR of HCV showed a nucleotide A insertion at position 193 of the IRES. [source]