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Low replication and variability of HBV pre-core in concomitant infection with hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses

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Summary.

In an attempt to define the virological profile of HBV in HCV co-infection, we analysed the viral load, the infecting genotype, and the mutational pattern of the HBV pre-core region (pre-C), which is involved in viral encapsidation and DNA replication. Eighty-six patients were studied: 32 with serological HBV/HCV-1b co-infection (group BC), 32 infected by HBV alone (group B), and 22 by HCV-1b alone (group C). Sequence analysis of the HBV pre-S and pre-C regions identified genotypes and mutational patterns. The HBV viral load was significantly lower in group BC than in group B (p < 0.001), and the distribution of HBV pre-C mutations showed a higher prevalence of wild type in concomitant infection than in the control group (p < 0.006). The predominant HBV infecting strain was genotype D in both the BC (96%) and B (87%) groups. No difference was observed in HCV viremia levels between the two groups, whereas in HBV/HCV infection, the low levels of circulating HBV were closely associated with the low degree of variability of pre-C domain (p = 0.005). In conclusion, in HBV/HCV infection, the virological pattern was characterised by the dominance of HCV associated with lower HBV replication capacity and decreased emergence of HBV pre-C variants.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Cardioangiology and Hepatology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy

    M. S. De Mitri, R. Cassini, P. Andreone, G. Bianchi, E. Loggi & M. Bernardi

  2. Division of Infectious Diseases, S. Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy

    G. Morsica & S. Bagaglio

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  1. M. S. De Mitri
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  2. G. Morsica
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  3. R. Cassini
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  4. S. Bagaglio
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  5. P. Andreone
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  6. G. Bianchi
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  7. E. Loggi
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  8. M. Bernardi
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De Mitri, M., Morsica, G., Cassini, R. et al. Low replication and variability of HBV pre-core in concomitant infection with hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses. Arch Virol 152, 395–404 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00705-006-0836-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00705-006-0836-6

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