Host genetics and the outcome of hepatitis B viral infection.
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection can result in numerous different clinical outcomes. A complex combination of environment, and viral and host genetic factors play a critical role in determining both susceptibility to HBV persistence and the course of infection. Evidence is presented that suggests that host genetic factors play an important role in determining the outcome of HBV infection. This data from various groups demonstrates that multiple genes play a role in determining hepatitis B viral clearance or persistence. However, to identify all the relevant variants that affect the outcome of infection, alternative strategies such as genome-wide association studies with large sample sizes will be required to define the majority of the relevant polygenes.
The Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK. angela.frodsham@well.ox.ac.uk
Angela J
AJ
Frodsham
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000235:genetics*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male