title: Host Genetic Variants in HLA Loci Influence Risk for Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a serious public health problem in China and worldwide. Mother-to-child transmission is one of HBV's main transmission routes in highly endemic regions. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) atHLAloci as associated with HBV infection. However, the mechanisms of HBV perinatal transmission and breakthrough in children have not yet been clearly defined.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to explore the association between SNPs atHLAloci and HBV infection and breakthrough in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 274 HBV-infected children and 353 controls were selected among children aged between 6 months and 12 years in China. Seven SNPs atHLA-DPandHLA-DQloci were genotyped to analyze their association with HBV infection in children.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Alleles G in bothHLA-DPA1rs3077 andHLA-DPB1rs9277535 were found to be significantly associated with HBV infection in children with odds ratios (OR) of 1.309 (95% CI 1.046 to 1.639) and 1.411 (95% CI 1.125 to 1.771), respectively. In addition, overdominant analysis found that the rs2281388 (HLA-DPB1) GA genotype and the rs9366816 (HLA-DPB2) TC genotype were related to HBV infection (rs2281388, OR = 1.422, 95% CI: 1.032-1.961; rs9366816, OR = 1.444, 95% CI: 1.045-1.994). Furthermore, this study highlighted that rs9277535 was also significantly associated with HBV breakthrough infection in children whose mothers were positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study confirmed that genetic variants inHLA-DPA1and HLA-DPB1 loci have significant associations with HBV infection, especially with HBV breakthrough in children. This study provides insight into HBV infection in children and is valuable for the targeted management of, and control strategies for, this disease.
authors: Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Management, Research Center for Medicine and Social Development, Innovation Center for Social Risk Governance in Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
authors: Jie
authors: J
authors: Fan
authors: Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Management, Research Center for Medicine and Social Development, Innovation Center for Social Risk Governance in Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
authors: Xin
authors: X
authors: Huang
authors: Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
authors: Juan
authors: J
authors: Chen
authors: Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Chengdu Women and Children's Central Hospital, Sichuan Province, China.
authors: Yiling
authors: Y
authors: Cai
authors: Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Chongqing Yuzhong District, Chongqing, China.
authors: Lin
authors: L
authors: Xiong
authors: Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Management, Research Center for Medicine and Social Development, Innovation Center for Social Risk Governance in Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
authors: Lihong
authors: L
authors: Mu
authors: Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Management, Research Center for Medicine and Social Development, Innovation Center for Social Risk Governance in Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China; Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
authors: Li
authors: L
authors: Zhou
keywords: Breakthrough; HLA; Hepatitis B; Single Nucleotide Polymorphism