Characterization Of Molecular Genotypes And Quantitative Analysis Of Serological Markers In Patients During Natural Phases Of Chronic Hepatitis B Infection In Southwestern China

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection greatly threaten public health, and it's the major cause of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). During the course of HBV infection, host immune response plays a pivotal role in HBV-related liver damage and the control of HBV replication. Based on the interplay among HBV, the hepatocytes and the immune system of the patient, the natural history of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients can be divided into four dynamic phases: immune tolerant (IT) phase, immune-clearance (IC) phase, low-replicative (LR) and reactivation (RE) phase. Currently, eight genotypes (A-H) of HBV have been identified, and HBV genotypes showed a significant correlation with HBeAg seroconversion, activity of liver diseases or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Objective: We aimed to investigate the distribution of HBV genotypes during the four phases of natural course of CHB infection and to analyze the clinical characteristics of HBV serological biomarkers in each phase.Methods: 140 CHB patients from southwestern China were selected, and categorized into four groups according to the four phases of the natural course of CHB infection. Nested PCR was used for HBV molecular genotyping, and chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay was used for quantitative detection of serological markers. The molecular genotypes and quantitative serological biomarkers during the natural course of chronic hepatitis B infection in patients were systematically analysed.Results: It was found that B2 and C2 were the most prevalent subgenotypes. Patients with genotype B were associated with a serious liver damage. The median level of HBsAg was highest in IT-group and lowest in LR-group (p<0.001). Correlation analysis results showed there were significant correlations between HBsAg-levels and HBV-DNA, HBeAg, age, ALT and AST levels.Conclusions:HBV Molecular genotyping and quantitative detection of serological markers could be useful for the prediction of the HBV-related liver diseases.