Hepatitis B surface antigen variants in vaccinees, blood donors and an interferon-treated patient

S. Seddigh-Tonekaboni, W. L. Lim, B. Young, J. L. Hou, J. Waters, K. X. Luo, H. C. Thomas, P. Karayiannis

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Variants of hepatitis B virus (HBV), with amino acid substitutions in the major antigenic "a" determinant of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), have been described mainly in vaccinated children. In the present study in addition to vaccinated children, we have investigated Chinese blood donors positive for anti-HBc alone, and a patient with continuing liver disease after interferon-induced seroconversion to anti-HBs. Variants were detected in two of four children with break-through infections. One child had a double mutation (P142S and G145R) and the other a G145A substitution. Three of seven anti-HBc positive Chinese blood donors had a T131I substitution, whilst the interferon-treated patient had a treble amino acid substitution (P142S, G145R and N146D). The present results indicate that HBsAg variants may exist in individuals other than vaccinated children.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)154-158
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Viral Hepatitis
Volume8
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2001

Keywords

  • HBsAg variants
  • Interferon
  • Vaccinees

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