Variability of the preC/C region of hepatitis B virus genotype A from a South African cohort predominantly infected with HIV.

ABSTRACT: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a serious global health problem, and HBV genotype is an important determinant of disease progression and treatment outcome. The aim of this study was to assess variations of the precore/core (preC/C) region in HBV genotype A. Sequencing of the preC/C and surface (S) genes of HBV was performed on plasma samples from 20 HBV/HIV co-infected and 5 HBV mono-infected individuals. All preC/C study sequences clustered with subgenotype A1, except for two which clustered with subgenotype D4 reference strains. The nucleotide and amino acid variability was far higher in the preC/C region than in the S region. Mutations associated with reduction or failure of HBV e-antigen (HBeAg) production were observed, with a preC start codon mutation being common (24%). Other mutations (

SUBMITTER: Mayaphi SH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4559853 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature