title: Doubtful Role of IL28B Polymorphism in Occult Hepatitis B Infection.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the influence of IL28B polymorphism in occult hepatitis B infection (OBI) and whether IL28B genetic variants are associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-specific T-cell responses.
  
  
  METHODS
  The rs12979860 IL28B genotype was determined in 34 OBI blood donors, 22 spontaneous HBV resolvers, 36 inactive HBV carriers and 25 seronegative donors. T-cell responses to HBV recombinant proteins were assessed by interferon-γ enzyme-linked immunospot assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The frequency of the IL28B CC genotype among OBI patients was similar to that of inactive carriers [41 vs. 39%, respectively, p = 0.961; odds ratio (OR) = 1.10; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.42-2.86; p = 0.845]. The IL28B CC genotype was found more frequently in spontaneous resolvers, although the differences were not significant (45 vs. 39%, spontaneous resolvers and inactive carriers, respectively; p = 0.828; OR = 1.31; 95% CI = 0.45-3.83; p = 0.622). HBV-specific T-cell responses were detected in OBIs, and significantly stronger T-cell responses towards hepatitis B envelope antigen were observed in those with the IL28B CC genotype. In spontaneous resolvers and inactive carriers, IL28B CC did not correlate with the magnitude of T-cell responses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In OBI donors, IL28B CC correlates with the intensity of HBV-specific T-cell responses. In this study, IL28B CC is not statistically associated with OBI or with HBV clearance, but a larger number of cases is needed before completely ruling out its role in HBV infection.
authors.affiliation: Transfusion Safety Laboratory, Banc de Sang i Teixits, Servei Català de la Salut, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bes
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vargas
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Piron
authors.forename: Natalia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Casamitjana
authors.forename: Juan Ignacio
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Esteban
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Campos-Varela
authors.forename: Lluís
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Puig
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sauleda
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001782:Blood Donors; D058501:Enzyme-Linked Immunospot Assay; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D006515:Hepatitis B virus; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D007372:Interferons; D007378:Interleukins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D013030:Spain; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D000095022:Interferon Lambda
chemical_list: D007371:Interferon-gamma; D007372:Interferons; D007378:Interleukins; C000624353:interferon-lambda, human; D000095022:Interferon Lambda