title: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genomic variations in chronic hepatitis.
abstract: Using PCR we have examined the sequence of the pre-C/C region of HBV from sera of anti-HBe positive, chronically HBV-infected patients. The large majority of sera tested contained a mixture of heterogeneous pre-C sequences with 1-3 non-randomly located point mutations. Some of the resultant variant viruses are incapable of synthesizing immunogenic proteins and may be involved in viral persistence in chronic carrier states.
authors.affiliation: Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Institute of Chemistry, Medical School, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cariani
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fiordalisi
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Primi
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D002353:Carrier State; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000235:genetics*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016296:Mutagenesis; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D011498:Protein Precursors