The relationship between polymorphisms in intron 8 of vitamin D receptor gene and occult HBV infection

Occult hepatitis B infection (OBI) is a form of hepatitis in which despite absence of detectable HBsAg, HBV-DNA is present in peripheral blood of patients. The responsible mechanisms for progression of OBI yet to be clarified, but some investigators believed that the genetics and immunological parameters are different in resistant individuals and patients. Vitamin D3 and its receptor interaction could be involved in anti-viral immune response. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between polymorphisms in intron 8 of VDR with OBI. In this experimental study, the plasma samples of 3700 blood donors were collected and tested for HBsAg and anti-HBs by ELISA