[Quantitative detection of serum hepatitis B wild type virus and the precore mutant genomes using competitive polymerase chain reaction in patients with HBeAg(-) chronic hepatitis B].
We set up a competitive PCR assay to obtain simultaneously a quantitative estimation of HBV wild type (M0) and precore mutant (M1 M2) genomes in sera of patients with HBeAg negative chronic hepatitis B and their evolution during antiviral therapy. The results showed that the amount of HBV DNA declined to undetectable levels very rapidly after the beginning of therapy in responders, while in non responders, the amount of viral genomes decreased but without becoming negative. Wild type viral strains (M0) seemed to be more sensitive to interferon as compared to precore mutant strains (M2). This method may be useful to study the course of viral infection and to evaluate the efficacy of antiviral therapy.
Zhang
X
X
Clinic Viral Research Unit, Rui Jin Hospital, Shanghai Second Medical University, Shanghai 200025.
Xiong
S
S
Lu
Z
Z
D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D016679:Genome, Viral; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics* / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods
D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D016898:Interferon-alpha