Investigating natural mutations in BCP and preC regions of hepatitis B virus in blood donors with chronic hepatitis B anti-HBe+

Various mutations can occur in the HBV genome during chronic HBV infection due to error-prone viral replication and stress on the host immune system. This study aimed to determine the mutations in the BCP and preC regions of the hepatitis B virus genome in asymptomatic carriers and its role in the persistence of hepatitis B infection.

In this descriptive study conducted by easy non-probability sampling method in 2017, 40 asymptomatic blood donors positive in terms of HBsAg and confirmatory tests and negative in terms of anti-HCV and anti-HIV tests were included in the study. Anti-HBc, HBe Ag and anti-HBe (Total) tests and ALT and AST tests were performed. Nested-PCR reaction was performed on the extracted DNA and the sequences were determined. Data analysis was done using online software https://hbv.geno2pheno.org.

Out of the 40 examined samples (94.8%), 38 were men and 2 (5.2%) women with an average age of 38.6 ± 8.6. Mutations in (G1764A) and BCP (A1762T) were observed in 10 (50%) and 8 (40%) cases, respectively, and G54T17 mutation was observed in 3 (15%) samples out of 20 HBV positive and HBeAg negative samples. The mutation in the preC region and the nucleotide position A1896 G was found in 12 cases (60%).

Conclusions  :

The highest frequency of mutations was observed in G1764A and BCP which can be considered as one of the effective factors in not clearing and removing the virus by the host's immune system and causing chronic hepatitis B infection.