[Pre-Core mutation of HBV among 26 families with history of chronic HBV infection in Shenyang].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the Pre-Core mutations of HBV and clinical significance among families with history of chronic HBV infection.

METHODS

The G to A mutation at nucleotide 1896 in the pre C gene of HBV DNA was detected by PCR-RFLP.

RESULTS

The results showed that the mutation rate of G to A mutation at nucleotide 1896 in the pre C gene of HBV DNA was much higher in patients (56.3%) and their family members (40.5%) than in their spouses (25.0%). While the positive rate of anti-HBs in their spouses were 26.3%. On the other hand those mutations were much higher in chronic hepatitis B patients (52.4%) and HBV carriers (44.4%) than in chronic severe hepatitis B patients (20.0%).

CONCLUSIONS

The G to A mutation at nucleotide 1896 in the pre C gene of HBV DNA could be associated with persistent HBV infection.