Studies on the integration of hepatitis B virus DNA sequence in human sperm chromosomes.
OBJECTIVE
To study the integration of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA into sperm chromosomes in hepatitis B patients and the features of its integration.


METHODS
Sperm chromosomes of 14 subjects (5 healthy controls and 9 HB patients, including 1 acute hepatitis B, 2 chronic active hepatitis B, 4 chronic persistent hepatitis B, 2 HBsAg chronic carriers with no clinical symptoms) were prepared using interspecific in vitro fertilization between zona-free hamster oocytes and human spermatozoa. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to sperm chromosome spreads was carried out with biotin-labeled full length HBV DNA probe to detect the specific HBV DNA sequences in the sperm chromosomes.


RESULTS
Specific fluorescent signal spots for HBV DNA were seen in sperm chromosomes of one patient with chronic persistent hepatitis B. In 9 (9/42) sperm chromosome complements containing fluorescent signal spots, one presented 5 obvious FISH spots and the others 2 to 4 signals. The fluorescence intensity showed significant difference among the signal spots. The distribution of signal sites among chromosomes seems to be random.


CONCLUSIONS
HBV could integrate into human sperm chromosomes. Results suggest that the possibility of vertical transmission of HBV via the germ line to the next generation is present.
D000328:Adult; D002877:Chromosomes, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000235:genetics / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D008297:Male; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000821:virology*; D016662:Virus Integration