The influence of human leukocyte antigen and IL-10 gene polymorphisms on hepatitis B virus outcome.
BACKGROUND
The clinical outcome of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is variable, ranging from spontaneous recovery to an inactive carrier state, chronic hepatitis, occult HBV infection, liver cirrhosis, or hepatocellular carcinoma.


METHODS
This variable pattern and clinical outcomes of the infection were mainly determined by virological and host genetic factors. Since the most of host genetic factors associated with HBV infection have currently focused on human leukocyte antigen (HLA) associations and interleukin (IL)-10 gene polymorphisms, this review focuses on the recent progresses in these issues to provide prognostic markers for the outcome of HBV infection.


RESULTS
A study on serum levels of IL-10 in occult HBV infected patients reported that the higher level of IL-10 production may suppress function of the immune system against HBV in patients with occult HBV infection. IL-10 promoter polymorphism at position -592 is associated with susceptibility to occult HBV infection.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings of this study suggest that the host HLA polymorphism is an important factor in determining outcome of HBV infection but regarding IL-10 gene promoter polymorphisms, we are still have a long way to achieve a deﬁnite conclusion.
Clinical Research Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, IR Iran.
Amitis
A
Ramezani
Mohammad
M
Banifazl
Setareh
S
Mamishi
Masoomeh
M
Sofian
Ali
A
Eslamifar
Arezoo
A
Aghakhani