Distribution of hepatitis B virus DNA sequences in different peripheral blood mononuclear cell subsets in HBs antigen-positive and negative patients.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA sequences have been detected in leucocytes from HBV-infected individuals. The aim of this study was to assess the specificity of HBV for a special leucocyte subset in nine healthy chronic HBV carriers, nine HBs antigen-positive patients with chronic active hepatitis, 16 HBs antigen-negative haemophiliacs with HBc and/or HBs antibodies, and 10 patients with HBV-related systemic necrotizing vasculitis. HBV-DNA sequences were found by Southern blot hybridization in the leucocytes of 15 out of the 44 (34%) patients. The prevalence was not significantly different between the four groups. HBV-DNA was found in the CD4+ cells (9/11) as well as in the CD8+ cells (4/11), B cells (4/12) and monocytes (2/12). In conclusion, leucocytes, and particularly CD4+ lymphocytes, are frequently infected by HBV in patients with HBV serum markers.
Calmus
Y
Y
Laboratoire d'Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine Cochin-Port-Royal, Paris, France.
Marcellin
P
P
Beaurain
G
G
Chatenoud
L
L
Bréchot
C
C
D002353:Carrier State / Q000821:virology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000145:classification / Q000821:virology*; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000821:virology
D004279:DNA, Viral; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens