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Mutation in the S gene a determinant of the hepatitis B virus associated with concomitant HBsAg and anti‐HBs in a population in Northeastern Brazil
Author(s) -
de Campos Albuquerque Ingrid,
Sousa Marinilde Teles,
Santos Max Diego Cruz,
Nunes Jomar Diogo Costa,
Moraes Maria Josélia Diniz,
GomesGouvêa Michele Soares,
Pinho João Renato Rebelo,
Carrilho Flair José,
Fonseca Lena Maria Barros,
de Sousa Paiva Ferreira Adalgisa
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of medical virology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1096-9071
pISSN - 0146-6615
DOI - 10.1002/jmv.24653
Subject(s) - virology , hbsag , hepatitis b virus , concomitant , mutation , virus , population , gene , biology , medicine , genetics , environmental health
Mutations in the a determinant of S gene may develop co‐existence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibodies to HBsAg (anti‐HBs) in the serum of infected hepatitis B virus (HBV) individuals. Mutations in this region may change the antigenicity of HBsAg, which in turn, lead to escape of neutralizing action of anti‐HBs antibodies. This study identified individuals with concomitant HBsAg and anti‐HBs serological markers in individuals of Maranhão, Northeastern Brazil. Samples from a population‐based study were evaluated for HBsAg, anti‐HBs, and anti‐HBc, and those that tested positive for simultaneous HBsAg and anti‐HBs were submitted to HBV DNA quantification and S gene characterization by Sanger sequencing. Mutations were investigated in the a determinant located in major hydrophilic region (MHR) of the S gene. Among 3,984 samples analyzed, 92 (2.3%) were positive for HBsAg and three had the atypical HBsAg and anti‐HBs‐positive profile (3.26%). The frequency of HBsAg and anti‐HBs co‐existence was similar to previous studies. Only one individual harbored mutation in the S gene a determinant associated with this profile. Little is known about this phenomenon; however, studies as ours may contribute for future enlightenment of this important issue. J. Med. Virol. 89:458–462, 2017 . © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.