X region deletion variants of hepatitis B virus in surface antigen-negative infections and non-A, non-B hepatitis

J Infect Dis. 1995 Sep;172(3):713-22. doi: 10.1093/infdis/172.3.713.

Abstract

The etiology of non-A, non-B hepatitis (NANBH) in renal dialysis patients was determined. Hepatitis C virus was present in many, but its appearance did not correlate with elevated alanine aminotransaminase. When sera from these patients were tested for antibodies against hepatitis B virus (HBV) X antigen and polymerase, 70% were positive. HBV infection was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction using several HBV-specific primer pairs. However, amplification with X region primers failed to yield products in many patients. Cloning and sequencing of these products demonstrated deletions within the X region. Hence, X-deletion variants of HBV are strongly associated with NANBH in renal dialysis patients.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Alanine Transaminase / blood
  • Base Sequence
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • DNA Primers
  • DNA, Viral / blood
  • Genes, Viral
  • Hepatitis B Antigens / genetics
  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / blood*
  • Hepatitis B virus / genetics
  • Hepatitis B virus / isolation & purification*
  • Hepatitis C / blood
  • Hepatitis C / virology*
  • Humans
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Reference Values
  • Renal Dialysis
  • Sequence Deletion*
  • Trans-Activators / blood
  • Trans-Activators / genetics*
  • Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • DNA, Viral
  • Hepatitis B Antigens
  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
  • Trans-Activators
  • Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins
  • hepatitis B virus X protein
  • Alanine Transaminase

Associated data

  • GENBANK/S79555
  • GENBANK/S79556