Short communication: Does interleukin-28B single nucleotide polymorphisms influence the natural history of hepatitis B?
Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) nearby the IL28B gene have been associated with spontaneous hepatitis C virus (HCV) clearance and response to interferon-based therapies in both monoinfected and HIV-coinfected patients. However, its impact on spontaneous clearance of HBV (the pathogenesis of which is also related to interferon) is less known. A case-control study was performed. Cases were 49 HIV(+) patients with chronic hepatitis B (HBsAg(+) for more than 6 months) who had been genotyped for the rs12979860 SNP (protective CC genotype). One control for each case was chosen among HIV patients with anti-HBs and anti-HBc. Controls were matched for gender and coinfection with HCV. Most patients were male (90%) and the median (IQR) age was 42.6 (39-46.7) years. Eighteen (36.7%) were also coinfected by HCV. Among HBsAg(+) patients, 19 (41.3%) were HBeAg(+) and 13 (26.5%) were also infected with hepatitis delta (HDV). No differences were found in the distribution of the CC genotype between patients with chronic hepatitis B and those who spontaneously cured hepatitis B: 59.2% vs. 44.9%; p=0.3. Thus, the interleukin-28B (IL-28B) genotype does not seem to have a role in the development of chronic hepatitis B among HIV-infected patients.
Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital Carlos III, Madrid, Spain. lmcarbonero@gmail.com
Luz
L
Martín-Carbonero
Norma I
NI
Rallón
José M
JM
Benito
Eva
E
Poveda
Juan
J
González-Lahoz
Vincent
V
Soriano
D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D060085:Coinfection; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007372:Interferons; D007378:Interleukins / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D000095022:Interferon Lambda
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D007370:Interferon Type I; D007372:Interferons; D007378:Interleukins; C000624353:interferon-lambda, human; D000095022:Interferon Lambda