Evaluation of S Gene Mutations in Children with Maternally Transmitted Hepatitis B

 Since the distribution of HBV genotypes in patients with hepatitis B indicates the predominant genotypes in specific geographical area, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence of S gene mutations in high-risk children with maternal HBV in southeastern Iran.

 This cross-sectional prospective study was performed from March 2019 to March 2020. We studied 26 patients infected with hepatitis B virus through vertical route. Serological markers of HBV were tested for HBs Ag, anti-HBs, HBe Ag, anti-HBe, and anti-HBc through ELISA. HBV-positive DNA-HBV samples were examined by nested PCR. The correlation between categorical variables was estimated using Spearmen correlation coefficient.  All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 22 software.

 Our study showed that no S gene mutation occurred in studied children. However, 4 (15.4%) of the children were HBe Ag positive, while the frequency of positive HBe antibody positive in the serum of children was 18 (69.2%).

 In general, since different types of Pre-S / S variants are predominantly identified in patients with chronic HBV that can affect the progression of liver disease, it is therefore necessary to evaluate the types of Pre-S / S variants regularly in HBV. Carriers should be identified to help discover people at higher risk for liver disease. Our study, as a single center study in southeastern Iran, indicated no mutation in this gene in hepatitis B patients.