Premium
HBsAg‐negative mono‐infection with hepatitis B virus genotype G
Author(s) -
Zaaijer H. L.,
Boot H. J.,
van Swieten P.,
Koppelman M. H. G. M.,
Cuypers H. T. M.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of viral hepatitis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.329
H-Index - 100
eISSN - 1365-2893
pISSN - 1352-0504
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2893.2010.01397.x
Subject(s) - hbsag , virology , hepatitis b virus , genotype , seroconversion , serology , hepatitis b , antigen , lamivudine , biology , antibody , hepadnaviridae , virus , medicine , immunology , gene , genetics
Summary. Infection with a genotype G strain of hepatitis B virus (HBV‐G) often occurs as a co‐infection with HBV genotype A. In mono‐infection with HBV‐G, the production of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), HBe antigen and anti‐HBe seems diminished, hampering the serological diagnosis of HBV‐G mono‐infection. To corroborate this notion, we studied in detail a series of samples of a blood donor with transient HBV‐G infection. In this donor, during the temporary presence of HBV DNA and the seroconversion to HBcore antibodies (anti‐HBc), no HBsAg or hepatitis B e antigen was detected. During follow‐up, no anti‐HBe appeared. Multiple resistance mutations to lamivudine were present, demonstrating primary infection with a resistant HBV strain. Cloning and sequencing indicated that no other HBV genotype but genotype G was present. Like other HBV‐G isolates, the DNA sequence of the HBsAg a‐determinant showed no mutations that could explain the failure to detect HBsAg. Our findings demonstrate that HBV genotype G mono‐infection occurs and that routine serology is unsuitable for its detection.