[Core promoter mutations of HBV isolated from patients with chronic hepatitis B in Guangxi].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the relationship between HBV core promoter mutations and liver damage or HBeAg status.


METHODS
Nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) was used for amplification of HBV DNA core promoter in 59 sera from patients with chronic hepatitis B in Guangxi, then the HBV DNA positive products were sequenced by direct sequencing.


RESULTS
The HBV DNA positive rate of was 59.3%(35/59). All the patients were infected by mutants. The commonest mutation was the double mutation (A --> T at nt1762 and G --> A at nt1764), counting for 57.1% (20/35). The next was C --> G at nt1799, counting for 54.4% (19/35), but this was no function. A --> G at nt1752 (resulting in isoleucine to valine) was seen in 37.1% (13/35) of the HBV DNA positive patients, and T --> C at nt1753 was seen in 20% (7/35). The significant difference in the frequency of T1762A1764 mutant was found between HBeAg positive patients (31.3%) and negative patients (79.0%).


CONCLUSIONS
HBV core promoter mutations are common among patients with chronic hepatitis B in Guangxi. T1762A1764 mutant is associated with HBeAg status and chronic hepatitis.
Fang
Zhong-liao
ZL
Centre for Diseases Control of Guangxi Zhuangzu Autonomous Region, Nanning 530021, China.
Zhuang
Hui
H
Ge
Xian-min
XM
Yang
Jin-ye
JY
Wang
Xue-yan
XY
Gong
Jian
J
Li
Rong-cheng
RC
Ling
Roger
R
Harrison
Tim J
TJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017354:Point Mutation; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics
D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens