Abstract
Occult hepatitis B virus (O-HBV) infection is characterized by the presence of HBV DNA without detectable hepatitis B surface antigen (HBV DNA+/HBsAg-) in the serum. Although O-HBV is more prevalent during HBV/HIV co-infection, analysis of HBV mutations in co-infected patients is limited. In this preliminary study, HBV PreSurface (PreS) and surface (S) regions were amplified from 33 HIV-positive patient serum samples - 27 chronic HBV (C-HBV) and six O-HBV infections. HBV genotype was determined by phylogenetic analysis, while quasispecies diversity was quantified for the PreS, S and overlapping polymerase regions. C-HBV infections harboured genotypes A, D and G, compared to A, E, G and one mixed A/G infection for O-HBV. Interestingly, nonsynonymous-synonymous mutation values indicated positive immune selection in three regions for O-HBV vs one for C-HBV. Sequence analysis further identified new O-HBV mutations, in addition to several previously reported mutations within the HBsAg antigenic determinant. Several of these O-HBV mutations likely contribute to the lack of detectable HBsAg in O-HBV infection by interfering with detection in serologic assays, altering antigen secretion and/or decreasing replicative fitness.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Adult
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Base Sequence
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Cohort Studies
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DNA, Viral / chemistry
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DNA, Viral / genetics
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Genetic Variation
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Genotype
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HIV / immunology*
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HIV Infections / complications*
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HIV Infections / immunology
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HIV Infections / virology
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Hepatitis B / complications*
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Hepatitis B / immunology
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Hepatitis B / virology
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Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / genetics
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Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / immunology*
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Hepatitis B virus / genetics
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Hepatitis B virus / immunology*
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Humans
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Middle Aged
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Phylogeny*
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Pilot Projects
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Polymerase Chain Reaction
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Prospective Studies
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RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / chemistry
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RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / genetics
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Sequence Alignment
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Sequence Analysis, DNA
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Viral Structural Proteins / chemistry
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Viral Structural Proteins / genetics
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Young Adult
Substances
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DNA, Viral
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Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
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Viral Structural Proteins
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RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase
Associated data
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GENBANK/EU769235
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GENBANK/EU769236
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GENBANK/EU769237
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GENBANK/EU769238
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GENBANK/EU769239
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GENBANK/EU769240
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GENBANK/EU769241
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GENBANK/EU769242
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GENBANK/EU769243
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GENBANK/EU769244
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GENBANK/EU769245
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GENBANK/EU769254
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GENBANK/EU769255
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GENBANK/EU769264
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GENBANK/EU769265
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GENBANK/EU769266
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GENBANK/EU769267
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GENBANK/EU769268
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GENBANK/EU769269
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GENBANK/EU769270
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GENBANK/EU769271
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GENBANK/EU769272
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GENBANK/EU769273
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GENBANK/EU769274
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GENBANK/EU769275
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GENBANK/EU769276
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GENBANK/EU769277
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GENBANK/EU769278
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GENBANK/EU769279
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GENBANK/EU769280
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GENBANK/EU769281
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GENBANK/EU769282
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GENBANK/EU769283
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GENBANK/EU769284
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GENBANK/EU769285
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GENBANK/EU769286
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GENBANK/EU769287
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GENBANK/EU769288
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GENBANK/EU769289
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GENBANK/EU769290
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GENBANK/EU769291
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GENBANK/EU769292