Genomic heterogeneity of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and outcome of perinatal HBV infection.
OBJECTIVE
Data regarding hepatitis B virus (HBV) genomic heterogeneity in perinatal infection are incomplete, although HBV variants might be involved in neonatal fulminant hepatitis (ALF). We investigated HBV variability in infected babies showing different clinical courses.


METHODS
We analyzed HBV genomes isolated from nine vertically infected babies and the mothers of four of them. Two infants born to HBe-antigen (HBeAg)-positive women developed a chronic infection; seven babies (six born to anti-HBe mothers) developed acute hepatitis that had a fulminant course in four cases and a benign course in three. Two babies developing ALF received anti-HBV immunoprophylaxis at birth.


RESULTS
Viruses carrying no significant mutation infected infants born to HBeAg-positive women. HBeAg-defective viruses were detected both in children with benign and fulminant hepatitis and their mothers. A double nucleotide mutation at positions 1762 and 1764 of the HBV core-promoter was found in two of the four infants with ALF, although it was not detected in isolates from the mother of one of them. No significant S gene mutation was found in HBV from any of the babies.


CONCLUSIONS
This study indicates that HBV genomic heterogeneity is not primarily involved either in the evolution of the infection or the failure of neonatal HBV immunoprophylaxis.
Cacciola
Irene
I
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
Cerenzia
Giovanni
G
Pollicino
Teresa
T
Squadrito
Giovanni
G
Castellaneta
Stefania
S
Zanetti
Alessando R
AR
Mieli-Vergani
Giorgina
G
Raimondo
Giovanni
G
D000208:Acute Disease; D005260:Female; D018740:Genetic Heterogeneity; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000628:therapy / Q000635:transmission* / Q000821:virology*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics*; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000628:therapy / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D007223:Infant; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D017093:Liver Failure / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D020125:Mutation, Missense; D016896:Treatment Outcome