1
|
Saitta C, Pollicino T, Raimondo G. Occult Hepatitis B Virus Infection: An Update. Viruses 2022; 14:v14071504. [PMID: 35891484 PMCID: PMC9318873 DOI: 10.3390/v14071504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (OBI) refers to a condition in which replication-competent viral DNA is present in the liver (with detectable or undetectable HBV DNA in the serum) of individuals testing negative for the HBV surface antigen (HBsAg). In this peculiar phase of HBV infection, the covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) is in a low state of replication. Many advances have been made in clarifying the mechanisms involved in such a suppression of viral activity, which seems to be mainly related to the host's immune control and epigenetic factors. OBI is diffused worldwide, but its prevalence is highly variable among patient populations. This depends on different geographic areas, risk factors for parenteral infections, and assays used for HBsAg and HBV DNA detection. OBI has an impact in several clinical contexts: (a) it can be transmitted, causing a classic form of hepatitis B, through blood transfusion or liver transplantation; (b) it may reactivate in the case of immunosuppression, leading to the possible development of even fulminant hepatitis; (c) it may accelerate the progression of chronic liver disease due to different causes toward cirrhosis; (d) it maintains the pro-oncogenic properties of the "overt" infection, favoring the development of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Saitta
- Division of Medicine and Hepatology, University Hospital of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy;
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Teresa Pollicino
- Department of Human Pathology, University Hospital of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy;
| | - Giovanni Raimondo
- Division of Medicine and Hepatology, University Hospital of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy;
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-(0)-902212392
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Association of Increased Programmed Death Ligand 1 Expression and Regulatory T Cells Infiltration with Higher Hepatocellular Carcinoma Recurrence in Patients with Hepatitis B Virus Pre-S2 Mutant after Curative Surgical Resection. Viruses 2022; 14:v14061346. [PMID: 35746817 PMCID: PMC9229682 DOI: 10.3390/v14061346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Although surgical resection is available as a potentially curative therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), high recurrence of HCC after surgery remains a serious obstacle for long-term patient survival. Therefore, the discovery of valuable prognostic biomarkers for HCC recurrence is urgently needed. Pre-S2 mutant is a mutant form of hepatitis B virus (HBV) large surface protein which is expressed from the HBV surface gene harboring deletion mutations spanning the pre-S2 gene segment. Pre-S2 mutant-positive HCC patients have been regarded as a high-risk population of HCC recurrence after resection surgery and display increased immune checkpoint programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and pro-tumor regulatory T cells (Tregs) infiltration in tumor tissues. In this study, the association of higher levels of PD-L1 expression and Tregs infiltration in tumor tissues with post-operative HCC recurrence in pre-S2 mutant-positive HCC patients was evaluated. We found that patients with pre-S2 mutant in combination with higher levels of PD-L1 expression and Tregs infiltration in tumor tissues were independently associated with a higher risk of HCC recurrence (hazard ratio, 4.109; p value = 0.0011) and poorer recurrence-free survival (median, 8.2 versus 18.0 months; p value = 0.0004) than those of patients with either one or two of these three biomarkers. Furthermore, a combination of pre-S2 mutant, intra-tumoral PD-L1 expression, and tumor-infiltrating Tregs exhibited superior performance in identifying patients at a higher risk of HCC recurrence (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.8400). Collectively, this study suggests that higher levels of PD-L1 expression and Tregs infiltration in tumor tissues predicted a higher risk of HCC recurrence in pre-S2 mutant-positive HCC patients after curative surgical resection.
Collapse
|
3
|
Thi Cam Huong N, Trung NQ, Luong BA, Tram DB, Vu HA, Bui HH, Pham Thi Le H. Mutations in the HBV PreS/S gene related to hepatocellular carcinoma in Vietnamese chronic HBV-infected patients. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0266134. [PMID: 35390033 PMCID: PMC8989215 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0266134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Chronic hepatitis B virus (CHB) infection is a major health problem and leading cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide. Several point and deletion mutations on the PreS/S gene have been intensively considered associated with HCC. This study aimed to describe the characteristics of HBV PreS/S mutations in Vietnamese CHB-infected patients and their association with HCC. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted from 02/2020 to 03/2021, recruited Vietnamese CHB-infected patients with HBV-DNA >3 log10-copies/mL and successful PreS/S gene sequencing. Mutations were detected by direct Sanger sequencing. Results 247 CHB-infected patients were recruited, characterized by 68.8% males, 54.7% HBV genotype B, 57.5% HBeAg positive, 23.1% fibrosis score ≥F3 and 19.8% HCC. 61.8% amino acid replacements were detected throughout the PreS1/PreS2/S genes. The most common point-mutations included N/H51Y/T/S/Q/P (30.4%), V68T/S/I (44.9%), T/N87S/T/P (46.2%) on PreS1 gene; T125S/N/P (30.8%), I150T (42.5%) on PreS2 gene; S53L (37.7%), A184V/G (39.3%), S210K/N/R/S (39.3%) on S gene. The rates of case(s) with any point-mutation on the Major Hydrophylic Region (MHR) and the "a" determinant region were 63.6% and 39.7%, respectively. Most of S point-mutations were presented with low rates such as T47A/E/V/K (9.3%), P120S/T (8.5%), G145R (2%). On multivariable analysis, males (OR = 4.51, 95%CI 1.78–11.4, p = 0.001), age≥40 (OR = 5.5, 95%CI 2.06–14.68, p = 0.001), W4P/R/Y on PreS1 (OR = 11.56, 95%CI 1.99–67.05, p = 0.006) and 4 S point-mutations as: T47A/E/V/K (OR = 3.67, 95%CI 1.19–11.29, p = 0.023), P120S/T (OR = 3.38, 95%CI 1.09–10.49, p = 0.035), S174N (OR = 29.73, 95%CI 2.12–417.07, p = 0.012), P203R (OR = 8.45, 95%CI 1.43–50.06, p = 0.019) were associated with HCC. Conclusions We detected 61% amino acid changes on PreS/S regions in Vietnamese CHB patients. One point-mutation at amino acid 4 on PreS1 gene and 4 point-mutations at amino acids 47, 120, 174, and 203 on S gene were associated with HCC. Further investigations are recommended to further clarify the relationship and interaction between mutations in HBV genome and HCC progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nguyen Thi Cam Huong
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Department of Gastroenterology, University Medical Center, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- * E-mail:
| | - Nguyen Quang Trung
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Department of Gastroenterology, University Medical Center, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Bac An Luong
- Center for Molecular Biomedicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Duong Bich Tram
- Center for Molecular Biomedicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Hoang Anh Vu
- Center for Molecular Biomedicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Hoang Huu Bui
- Department of Gastroenterology, University Medical Center, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Hoa Pham Thi Le
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Department of Gastroenterology, University Medical Center, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
de Almeida NAA, de Paula VS. Occult Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and challenges for hepatitis elimination: A literature review. J Appl Microbiol 2021; 132:1616-1635. [PMID: 34724308 DOI: 10.1111/jam.15351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Occult hepatitis B infection (OBI) is characterized by the detection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in serum or liver but negativity for hepatitis B surface antigen. OBI, which is thought to be maintained by host, immunological, viral and/or epigenetic factors, is one of the most challenging clinical features in the study of viral hepatitis. Currently, there is no validated detection test for OBI. It is believed that OBI is widely distributed throughout the world, with a higher prevalence in populations at high-risk HBV, but the detailed worldwide prevalence patterns are unknown. We conducted a survey of recently published studies on OBI rates across all continents. High prevalence rates of OBI are observed in some specific groups, including patients with hepatitis C virus, human immunodeficiency virus co-infection or hepatocellular carcinoma. In 2016, the World Health Organization adopted strategies to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030, but the difficulties in detecting and treating OBI currently challenge this goal. Subjects with OBI can transmit HBV, and episodes of reactivation can occur. Further studies to understanding the mechanisms that drive the development of OBI are needed and can contribute to efforts at eliminating viral hepatitis.
Collapse
|
5
|
Phan NMH, Faddy HM, Flower RL, Dimech WJ, Spann KM, Roulis EV. Low Genetic Diversity of Hepatitis B Virus Surface Gene amongst Australian Blood Donors. Viruses 2021; 13:1275. [PMID: 34208852 PMCID: PMC8310342 DOI: 10.3390/v13071275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Variants in the small surface gene of hepatitis B virus (HBV), which codes for viral surface antigen (HBsAg), can affect the efficacy of HBsAg screening assays and can be associated with occult HBV infection (OBI). This study aimed to characterise the molecular diversity of the HBV small surface gene from HBV-reactive Australian blood donors. HBV isolates from 16 HBsAg-positive Australian blood donors' plasma were sequenced and genotyped by phylogenies of viral coding genes and/or whole genomes. An analysis of the genetic diversity of eight HBV small surface genes from our 16 samples was conducted and compared with HBV sequences from NCBI of 164 international (non-Australian) blood donors. Genotypes A-D were identified in our samples. The region of HBV small surface gene that contained the sequence encoding the 'a' determinant had a greater genetic diversity than the remaining part of the gene. No escape mutants or OBI-related variants were observed in our samples. Variant call analysis revealed two samples with a nucleotide deletion leading to truncation of polymerase and/or large/middle surface amino acid sequences. Overall, we found that HBV small surface gene sequences from Australian donors demonstrated a lower level of genetic diversity than those from non-Australian donor population included in the study.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ngoc Minh Hien Phan
- Faculty of Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia; (H.M.F.); (R.L.F.); (K.M.S.); (E.V.R.)
- Research and Development, Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia
| | - Helen M. Faddy
- Faculty of Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia; (H.M.F.); (R.L.F.); (K.M.S.); (E.V.R.)
- Research and Development, Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia
- School of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of Sunshine Coast, Petrie, Queensland 4502, Australia
| | - Robert L. Flower
- Faculty of Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia; (H.M.F.); (R.L.F.); (K.M.S.); (E.V.R.)
- Research and Development, Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia
| | - Wayne J. Dimech
- Scientific & Business Relations, National Serology Reference Laboratory, Fitzroy, Victoria 3065, Australia;
| | - Kirsten M. Spann
- Faculty of Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia; (H.M.F.); (R.L.F.); (K.M.S.); (E.V.R.)
| | - Eileen V. Roulis
- Faculty of Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia; (H.M.F.); (R.L.F.); (K.M.S.); (E.V.R.)
- Research and Development, Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Lin YT, Jeng LB, Chan WL, Su IJ, Teng CF. Hepatitis B Virus Pre-S Gene Deletions and Pre-S Deleted Proteins: Clinical and Molecular Implications in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Viruses 2021; 13:v13050862. [PMID: 34066744 PMCID: PMC8151789 DOI: 10.3390/v13050862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most frequent and fatal human cancers worldwide and its development and prognosis are intimately associated with chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV). The identification of genetic mutations and molecular mechanisms that mediate HBV-induced tumorigenesis therefore holds promise for the development of potential biomarkers and targets for HCC prevention and therapy. The presence of HBV pre-S gene deletions in the blood and the expression of pre-S deleted proteins in the liver tissues of patients with chronic hepatitis B and HBV-related HCC have emerged as valuable biomarkers for higher incidence rates of HCC development and a higher risk of HCC recurrence after curative surgical resection, respectively. Moreover, pre-S deleted proteins are regarded as important oncoproteins that activate multiple signaling pathways to induce DNA damage and promote growth and proliferation in hepatocytes, leading to HCC development. The signaling molecules dysregulated by pre-S deleted proteins have also been validated as potential targets for the prevention of HCC development. In this review, we summarize the clinical and molecular implications of HBV pre-S gene deletions and pre-S deleted proteins in HCC development and recurrence and highlight their potential applications in HCC prevention and therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yueh-Te Lin
- Cancer Genome Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan;
| | - Long-Bin Jeng
- Organ Transplantation Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 404, Taiwan;
| | - Wen-Ling Chan
- Department of Bioinformatics and Medical Engineering, Asia University, Taichung 413, Taiwan;
- Epigenome Research Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 404, Taiwan
| | - Ih-Jen Su
- Department of Biotechnology, Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Tainan 710, Taiwan;
| | - Chiao-Fang Teng
- Organ Transplantation Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 404, Taiwan;
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan
- Research Center for Cancer Biology, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-4-2205-2121
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Jiang X, Chang L, Yan Y, Wang L. Paradoxical HBsAg and anti-HBs coexistence among Chronic HBV Infections: Causes and Consequences. Int J Biol Sci 2021; 17:1125-1137. [PMID: 33867835 PMCID: PMC8040313 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.55724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and Hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) were reported simultaneously among Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections. HBsAg is a specific indicator of acute or chronic HBV infections, while anti-HBs is a protective antibody reflecting the recovery and immunity of hosts. HBsAg and anti-HBs coexist during seroconversion and then form immune complex, which is rare detected in clinical cases. However, with the promotion of vaccination and the application of various antiviral drugs, along with the rapid development of medical technology, the coexistence of HBsAg and anti-HBs has become more prevalent. Mutations in the viral genomes, immune status and genetic factors of hosts may contribute to the coexistence. Novel HBsAg assays, with higher sensitivity and ability to detect mutations or immune complexes, can also yield HBsAg/anti-HBs coexistence. The discovery of coexistence has shattered the idea of traditional serological patterns and raised questions about the effectiveness of vaccines. Worth noting is that HBsAg/anti-HBs double positivity is strongly associated with progressive liver diseases, especially hepatocellular carcinoma. In conclusion, viral mutations, host factors, and methodology impacts can all lead to the coexistence of HBsAg and anti-HBs. This coexistence is not an indicator of improvement, as an increased risk of adverse clinical outcomes still exists.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Jiang
- National Center for Clinical Laboratories, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology; Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China.,Beijing Engineering Research Center of Laboratory Medicine, Beijing Hospital, P.R. China.,Graduate School, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Le Chang
- National Center for Clinical Laboratories, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology; Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China.,Beijing Engineering Research Center of Laboratory Medicine, Beijing Hospital, P.R. China.,Graduate School, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Ying Yan
- National Center for Clinical Laboratories, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology; Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China.,Beijing Engineering Research Center of Laboratory Medicine, Beijing Hospital, P.R. China.,Graduate School, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Lunan Wang
- National Center for Clinical Laboratories, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology; Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China.,Beijing Engineering Research Center of Laboratory Medicine, Beijing Hospital, P.R. China.,Graduate School, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Teng CF, Li TC, Huang HY, Chan WL, Wu HC, Shyu WC, Su IJ, Jeng LB. Hepatitis B virus pre-S2 deletion (nucleotide 1 to 54) in plasma predicts recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after curative surgical resection. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0242748. [PMID: 33237972 PMCID: PMC7688176 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0242748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Despite curative surgical resection, high recurrence of HCC after surgery results in poor patient survival. To develop prognostic markers is therefore important for better prevention and therapy of recurrent HCC to improve patient outcomes. Deletion mutations over the pre-S1 and pre-S2 gene segments of hepatitis B virus (HBV) have been closely associated with recurrence of HCC after curative surgical resection. In this study, we applied a next-generation sequencing-based approach to further evaluate the association of pre-S deletion regions with HCC recurrence. We demonstrated that the pre-S2 deletion (nucleotide 1 to 54) was the most predominant deletion regions of pre-S gene in plasma of HBV-related HCC patients. Moreover, patients with the pre-S2 deletion (nucleotide 1 to 54) exhibited a significantly higher risk of HCC recurrence after curative surgical resection than those without. The pre-S2 deletion (nucleotide 1 to 54) in plasma represented a prognostic factor that independently predicted HCC recurrence with greater performance than other clinicopathological and viral factors. Our data suggest that detection of the pre-S2 deletion (nucleotide 1 to 54) in plasma may be a promising noninvasive strategy for identifying patients at high risk for HCC recurrence after curative surgical resection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chiao-Fang Teng
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Organ Transplantation Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- Research Center for Cancer Biology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- * E-mail: (CFT); (IJS); (LBJ)
| | - Tsai-Chung Li
- Department of Public Health, College of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Healthcare Administration, College of Medical and Health Science, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Hsi-Yuan Huang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Ling Chan
- Department of Bioinformatics and Medical Engineering, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Epigenome Research Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Han-Chieh Wu
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Taiwan
| | - Woei-Cherng Shyu
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Neurology, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- Translational Medicine Research Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Ih-Jen Su
- Department of Biotechnology, Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Tainan, Taiwan
- * E-mail: (CFT); (IJS); (LBJ)
| | - Long-Bin Jeng
- Organ Transplantation Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- * E-mail: (CFT); (IJS); (LBJ)
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Occult hepatitis B infection and hepatocellular carcinoma: Epidemiology, virology, hepatocarcinogenesis and clinical significance. J Hepatol 2020; 73:952-964. [PMID: 32504662 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2020.05.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Occult hepatitis B infection (OBI) refers to a condition where replication-competent HBV DNA is present in the liver, with or without HBV DNA in the blood, in individuals with serum HBsAg negativity assessed by currently available assays. The episomal covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) in OBI is in a low replicative state. Viral gene expression is mediated by epigenetic control of HBV transcription, including the HBV CpG island methylation pathway and post-translational modification of cccDNA-bound histone, with a different pattern from patients with chronic HBV infection. The prevalence of OBI varies tremendously across patient populations owing to numerous factors, such as geographic location, assay characteristics, host immune response, coinfection with other viruses, and vaccination status. Apart from the risk of viral reactivation upon immunosuppression and the risk of transmission of HBV, OBI has been implicated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development in patients with chronic HCV infection, those with cryptogenic or known liver disease, and in patients with HBsAg seroclearance after chronic HBV infection. An increasing number of prospective studies and meta-analyses have reported a higher incidence of HCC in patients with HCV and OBI, as well as more advanced tumour histological grades and earlier age of HCC diagnosis, compared with patients without OBI. The proposed pathogenetic mechanisms of OBI-related HCC include the influence of HBV DNA integration on the hepatocyte cell cycle, the production of pro-oncogenic proteins (HBx protein and mutated surface proteins), and persistent low-grade necroinflammation (contributing to the development of fibrosis and cirrhosis). There remain uncertainties about exactly how, and in what order, these mechanisms drive the development of tumours in patients with OBI.
Collapse
|
10
|
Dai Y, Che F, Jiang X, Cui D, Zhou H, Xu X, Sun C, Cheng J. Clinical characteristics and association analysis of persistent low-level HBsAg expression in a physical examination population with HBV infection. Exp Ther Med 2019; 19:19-32. [PMID: 31853269 PMCID: PMC6909745 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2019.8217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Certain patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection present with persistently low levels of serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and have been indicated to have low rates of HBV nucleic acid replication. To explore the serological and molecular epidemiological characteristics of HBV population with low-level HBsAg in the present study, associated serum markers and virologic genotype detection were performed accordingly. Determination of HBV markers was performed using a chemiluminescence immunoassay from which 2,544 out of 45,256 adults who underwent routine health examination were tested positive for HBsAg. HBV DNA was detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR. The patients were divided into low-level and high-level groups, according to their HBsAg levels (cut-off value, 10 IU/ml). The prevalence and levels of HBsAg positivity and HBV DNA in patients with HBV infection were analyzed by age, sex, serological pattern and clinical type. The fibrosis status of patients with low-level HBsAg was assessed by determining the aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio (APRI), and sequencing was employed to determine serotypes and genotypes. HBV-infected patients with low-level HBsAg (<10 IU/ml) accounted for 15.41% of the 2,544 HBsAg-positive patients, and the prevalence of HBsAg positivity exhibited a tendency to increase with age. The male-to-female ratio was ~1.9:1, and the average age was 54.98±16.28 years among HBV-infected patients with low-level HBsAg. The major serological pattern and clinical types were HBsAg/antibody against hepatitis Be antigen (anti-HBe)/antibody against hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc)-positive (94.90%) and chronic asymptomatic (ASC) (97.95%), respectively. HBV DNA exhibited a low-level of replication and the prevalence of HBV DNA positivity assessed by the routine method and by the enrichment method was 27.74% (97/392) and 45.92% (180/392), respectively. No significant differences among the age groups were identified in the different HBsAg level groups (P>0.05). The prevalence of HBV DNA positivity was associated with HBsAg only in patients with serological pattern HBV-M2 (HBsAg/anti-HBe/anti-HBc-positive) in the low-level HBsAg group (odds ratio: 1.30; 95% CI: 1.15–1.47; P<0.05). The APRI had no association with age, HBsAg, HBV DNA level or liver function index in ASC patients in the low-level HBsAg group (P>0.05). The prevalence of the serotype adw and genotype B was 85.53 and 89.47%, respectively. Further improvement in the systematic study of populations with low-level HBsAg has important clinical and epidemiological significance for improving the detection of HBV serological markers, elucidating the mechanisms leading to low-level HBsAg, overcoming immune tolerance to eliminate HBV infection and preventing HBV transmission.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuzhu Dai
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The 903rd Hospital of The PLA, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310013, P.R. China.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Key Laboratory of Clinical In Vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, P.R. China
| | - Feihu Che
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The 903rd Hospital of The PLA, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310013, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoxiao Jiang
- Department of Respiration, The 903rd Hospital of The PLA, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310013, P.R. China
| | - Dawei Cui
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Key Laboratory of Clinical In Vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, P.R. China
| | - Huajun Zhou
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The 903rd Hospital of The PLA, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310013, P.R. China
| | - Xujian Xu
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 1138656, Japan
| | - Changgui Sun
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The 903rd Hospital of The PLA, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310013, P.R. China
| | - Jun Cheng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The 903rd Hospital of The PLA, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310013, P.R. China.,Department of Medical Laboratory, Faculty of Graduate Studies, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, P.R. China.,Department of Medical Laboratory, Faculty of Graduate Studies, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui 233000, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|