Occult HBV Infection May Be Transmitted through Close Contact and Manifest as an Overt Infection.

ABSTRACT: The importance of transmission of occult HBV infection (OBI) via transfusion, organ transplantation and hemodialysis has been widely recognized. However, data regarding the transmission of OBI through close contact remain limited. In this study, serum samples were obtained from a child and his parents. The child had received the standard vaccination regimen at birth and produced protective antibody. Sera were tested for HBV serological markers. Nested PCR assays were used to detect HBV DNA and the amplicons were cloned and their sequences subjected to phylogenetic analysis. The results showed that both parents had occult infections while the child had an overt infection. Twelve, eleven and nine clones, from the father, mother and son, respectively, were sequenced. Serotypes adrq+, ayw1, ay

SUBMITTER: Hu LP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4601727 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature