X region deletion variants of hepatitis B virus in surface antigen-negative infections and non-A, non-B hepatitis.

Feitelson, M A; Duan, L X; Guo, J; Sun, B; Woo, J; Steensma, K; Horiike, N; Blumberg, B S · J Infect Dis · 1995

case_control · Level III

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Abstract

The etiology of non-A, non-B hepatitis (NANBH) in renal dialysis patients was determined. Hepatitis C virus was present in many, but its appearance did not correlate with elevated alanine aminotransaminase. When sera from these patients were tested for antibodies against hepatitis B virus (HBV) X antigen and polymerase, 70% were positive. HBV infection was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction using several HBV-specific primer pairs. However, amplification with X region primers failed to yield products in many patients. Cloning and sequencing of these products demonstrated deletions within the X region. Hence, X-deletion variants of HBV are strongly associated with NANBH in renal dialysis patients.

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