Hepatitis B precore mutant in children with chronic hepatitis B virus infection.

BACKGROUND

In adults, hepatitis B virus (HBV) with a G to A point mutation at nucleotide 83 in the precore region (mutant HBV 83), is commonly found in HB e antibody positive HBV carriers. It has been reported that this mutant is not able to produce HB e antigen. The exact prevalence of mutant HBV 83 in patients with chronic HBV infection is not fully understood, especially in children.

METHODS

To investigate the role of mutant HBV 83 in children with chronic HBV infection, sera were tested for the presence of mutant HBV 83 using a mutation site-specific assay.

RESULTS

Mutant HBV 83 was detected in 15 of 22 children (68%). Seven children were followed longitudinally, of which three were asymptomatic carriers and the other four had chronic hepatitis B on entry. There was no clear relationship between the disease activity and the presence of mutant HBV 83.

CONCLUSIONS

It was concluded that mutant HBV 83 is commonly present in children with chronic HBV infection and this mutant is not necessarily associated with activation of hepatitis.