The Relationship Between HBV Precore Region Mutation And The Variation Of T-lymphocyte Subpopulations In Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B

Objective:To investigate peripheral T-lymphocyte subpopulation profile and its correlation with HBV precore region 1896 mutation in patients with chronic hepatitis B(CUB).Methods:HBV precore region 1896 mutation and distribution of T-lymphocyte subpopulations in peripheral blood were measured in 65 CHB patients.HBV markers were detected with ELISA.Serum HBV DNA load was assessed with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(PCR).The relationship between precore mutation and variation in peripheral T-cell subsets was analyzed.Results:CHB patients had significantly decreased CD3~+ and CD4~+ cells and CD4~+/ CD8~+ ratio,and increased CD8~+ cells compared with unifected controls,all with P＜0.001.Comparing with HBV precore region non-mutation group,the patients with precore mutation had significant decreased CD4~+ cells and CD4~+/CD8~+ ratio and increased CD8~+ cells.Univariate analysis showed a similar pattern of these parameters was significantly associated with presence of serum hepatitis B e antigen(HBeAg) expression and high viral load,all with P＜0.05 or 0.01.The presence of HBeAg expression carried by the HBV precore region mutation positive group was not significant different than those observed in HBV precore region mutation negative group.Whereas,it is opposite the case for quantities of HBV DNA load between them (P<0.001).No obvious differences of T-cell parameters and presence of precore mutation were observed among various age groups and sex groups,all with P>0.05.Conclusion:T-lymphocyte dysfunction was significantly associated with HBV precore region mutation in CHB patients.Which with HBeAg expression and the HBV DNA replication affect each other and co-result in lower T-cell immune function and chronic infection persistent status.