Hepatitis B surface antigen variants in vaccinees, blood donors and an interferon-treated patient.
Variants of hepatitis B virus (HBV), with amino acid substitutions in the major antigenic "a" determinant of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), have been described mainly in vaccinated children. In the present study in addition to vaccinated children, we have investigated Chinese blood donors positive for anti-HBc alone, and a patient with continuing liver disease after interferon-induced seroconversion to anti-HBs. Variants were detected in two of four children with break-through infections. One child had a double mutation (P142S and G145R) and the other a G145A substitution. Three of seven anti-HBc positive Chinese blood donors had a T131I substitution, whilst the interferon-treated patient had a treble amino acid substitution (P142S, G145R and N146D). The present results indicate that HBsAg variants may exist in individuals other than vaccinated children.
Seddigh-Tonekaboni
S
S
Department of Medicine A, Imperial College School of Medicine at St. Mary's, South Wharf Road, London W2 1NY, UK.
Lim
W L
WL
Young
B
B
Hou
J L
JL
Waters
J
J
Luo
K X
KX
Thomas
H C
HC
Karayiannis
P
P
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D019943:Amino Acid Substitution; D001782:Blood Donors; D002648:Child; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D005260:Female; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009154:Mutation; D014611:Vaccination
D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D016898:Interferon-alpha