Frequent lymphocytes infection by hepatitis B virus in haemophiliacs.
We have tested the different mononuclear blood cell populations of seven patients with severe haemophilia and one patient with F VII deficiency for the presence of HBV DNA. These subjects were all polytransfused with non-heated coagulation factors; three were HBsAg positive, five HBsAg negative but anti-HBc and anti-HBs positive; HBV DNA sequences were detected in six subjects including three without detectable serum HBsAg. Furthermore the viral DNA sequences were identified in the T lymphocyte subpopulations (OKT4+ and/or OKT8+ cells). This observation suggests that HBV infection of lymphocytes might be related to the immunological disorders observed in these patients.
D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications; D006515:Hepatitis B virus; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification
D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors; D004279:DNA, Viral