BACKGROUND The long-term stability of hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg)seroclearance following peginterferon alpha(peg-IFN-α)-based therapy has not been extensively studied,leaving the full potential and limitations...BACKGROUND The long-term stability of hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg)seroclearance following peginterferon alpha(peg-IFN-α)-based therapy has not been extensively studied,leaving the full potential and limitations of this strategy unclear.AIM To assess HBsAg recurrence after seroclearance achieved by peg-IFN-αregimens.METHODS This prospective,multicenter,observational study was conducted from November 2015 to June 2021 at three Chinese hospitals:The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University,Ankang Central Hospital,and The Affiliated Hospital of Yan’an University.Participants who achieved HBsAg seroclearance following peg-IFN-α-based treatments were monitored every 4-12 weeks post-treatment for hepatitis B virus(HBV)markers,HBV DNA,and liver function.The primary outcome was HBV recurrence,defined as the reemergence of HBsAg,HBV DNA,or both,at least twice within 4-8 weeks of follow-up.RESULTS In total,121 patients who achieved HBsAg seroclearance were enrolled.After a median follow-up of 84.0(48.0,132.0)weeks,four subjects were lost to follow-up.HBsAg recurrence was detected in 16 patients.The cumulative HBsAg recurrence rate in the intention-to-treat population was 15.2%.Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that consolidation time<12 weeks[odds ratio(OR)=28.044,95%CI:4.525-173.791]and hepatitis B surface antibody disappearance during follow-up(OR=46.445,95%CI:2.571-838.957)were strong predictors of HBsAg recurrence.HBV DNA positivity and decompensation of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma were not observed.CONCLUSION HBsAg seroclearance following peg-IFN-αtreatment was durable over 84 weeks of follow-up with a cumulative recurrence rate of 15.2%.展开更多
BACKGROUND Occult hepatitis B infection(OBI)is characterized by the detection of hepatitis B virus(HBV)DNA in serum(usually HBV DNA<200 IU/mL)or the liver but negativity for hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg).The d...BACKGROUND Occult hepatitis B infection(OBI)is characterized by the detection of hepatitis B virus(HBV)DNA in serum(usually HBV DNA<200 IU/mL)or the liver but negativity for hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg).The diagnosis of OBI relies on the sensitivity of assays used in the detection of HBV DNA and HBsAg.HBsAg assays with inadequate sensitivity or inability to detect HBV S variants may lead to misdiagnosis of OBI in people with overt HBV infection.CASE SUMMARY We report a HBsAg-negative but hepatitis B envelope antigen-positive patient who had a significant HBV DNA level.The patient was initially diagnosed as having OBI.However,sequence analysis revealed a unique insertion of amino acid residues at positions 120-124 in the S protein,which affects the formation of a disulfide bond that is associated with the formation of a loop.It is well known that there is an overlap between the S protein and Pol protein.We found that this new insertion site occurred in polymerase/reverse transcriptase domain,indi-cating that this insertion might be involved in HBV pathogenicity.The patient was finally diagnosed with a false OBI.CONCLUSION An insertion of amino acid residues at positions 120-124 of the S protein affects the formation of immunodominant epitopes and results in negative HBsAg levels.展开更多
The management of hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection now involves regular and appropriate monitoring of viral activity,disease progression,and treatment response.Traditional HBV infection biomarkers are limited in their ...The management of hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection now involves regular and appropriate monitoring of viral activity,disease progression,and treatment response.Traditional HBV infection biomarkers are limited in their ability to predict clinical outcomes or therapeutic effectiveness.Quantitation of HBV core antibodies(qAnti-HBc)is a novel non-invasive biomarker that may help with a variety of diagnostic issues.It was shown to correlate strongly with infection stages,hepatic inflammation and fibrosis,chronic infection exacerbations,and the presence of occult infection.Furthermore,qAnti-HBc levels were shown to be predictive of spontaneous or treatment-induced HBeAg and HBsAg seroclearance,relapse after medication termination,re-infection following liver transplantation,and viral reactivation in the presence of immunosuppression.qAnti-HBc,on the other hand,cannot be relied on as a single diagnostic test to address all problems,and its diagnostic and prognostic potential may be greatly increased when paired with qHBsAg.Commercial qAnti-HBc diagnostic kits are currently not widely available.Because many methodologies are only semi-quantitative,comparing data from various studies and defining universal cut-off values remains difficult.This review focuses on the clinical utility of qAnti-HBc and qHBsAg in chronic hepatitis B management.展开更多
乙型肝炎病毒(hepatitis B virus,HBV)e抗原(hepatitis B e antigen,HBeAg)阳性的慢性HBV感染依次经历非活动性肝炎(non-aggressive hepatitis,NAH)和活动性肝炎(aggressive hepatitis,AH)2个分期,但仍缺乏界定HBeAg阳性NAH与AH的可靠...乙型肝炎病毒(hepatitis B virus,HBV)e抗原(hepatitis B e antigen,HBeAg)阳性的慢性HBV感染依次经历非活动性肝炎(non-aggressive hepatitis,NAH)和活动性肝炎(aggressive hepatitis,AH)2个分期,但仍缺乏界定HBeAg阳性NAH与AH的可靠标准。本文根据179例患者的长期随访队列,以自发性HBeAg血清转换作为终点事件,采用Kaplan-Meier生存分析,指定了丙氨酸转氨酶(alanine transaminase,ALT)、HBV表面抗原(hepatitis B surface antigen,HBsAg)和HBV DNA识别HBeAg阳性NAH的功能截断值;在此基础上,评价了ALT串联HBsAg和串联HBV DNA识别HBeAg阳性NAH的性能。结果显示,ALT≤60 IU/L、HBsAg>4.602 log10IU/mL和HBV DNA>7.477 log10IU/mL为识别HBeAg阳性NAH的功能截断值。基于功能截断值,ALT串联HBsAg的患者中,病理学分级≤G1和“分级≤G1且分期≤S2”的构成比均为100%,病理学分期≤S1和“分级≤G2且分期≤S1”的构成比均为68.2%;ALT串联HBV DNA的患者中,病理学分级≤G1和“分级≤G1且分期≤S2”的构成比均为86.2%,病理学分期≤S1和“分级≤G2且分期≤S1”的构成比均为69.0%;ALT串联HBsAg识别病理学分级≤G1和“分级≤G1且分期≤S2”的阳性似然比均为+∞,识别病理学分期≤S1和“分级≤G2且分期≤S1”的阳性似然比均为2.034;ALT串联HBV DNA识别病理学分级≤G1和“分级≤G1且分期≤S2”的阳性似然比分别为3.000和3.068,识别病理学分期≤S1和“分级≤G2且分期≤S1”的阳性似然比均为2.106。以上结果提示,ALT串联HBsAg和串联HBV DNA均可有效识别HBeAg阳性NAH;且ALT串联HBsAg识别HBeAg阳性NAH的性能优于ALT串联HBV DNA。展开更多
目的分析非活动性乙型肝炎病毒表面抗原(hepatitis B virus surface antigen,HBsAg)妇女妊娠期及产后乙型肝炎病毒(hepatitis B virus,HBV)再激活的临床特征及危险因素分析。方法回顾性选取非活动性HBV携带孕妇116例为研究对象。分析妊...目的分析非活动性乙型肝炎病毒表面抗原(hepatitis B virus surface antigen,HBsAg)妇女妊娠期及产后乙型肝炎病毒(hepatitis B virus,HBV)再激活的临床特征及危险因素分析。方法回顾性选取非活动性HBV携带孕妇116例为研究对象。分析妊娠期HBV再激活组与妊娠期HBV未再激活组的基线资料,构建基线资料的临床预测模型并评估模型科学性;分析妊娠期HBV再激活、产后HBV再激活及妊娠期+产后HBV再激活孕妇在HBV激活时的肝功能、免疫功能、肝纤维化指标及炎症因子水平;评估妊娠期HBV再激活影响因素对全因性产后HBV再激活的影响。结果妊娠期HBV再激活组基线HBV脱氧核糖核酸(deoxyribonucleic acid,DNA)、总胆固醇(total cholesterol,TC)、低密度脂蛋白(low density lipoprotein,LDL)水平、初产妇比例明显高于HBV未再激活组,年龄、家庭月收入水平明显低于HBV未再激活组(χ^(2)/t=7.004,5.934,4.805,3.853,10.561,7.289,P<0.05)。基线HBV DNA水平、年龄、家庭月收入对妊娠期HBV再激活具有一定的预测价值(c指数=0.653,AUC 5个月内=0.679,AUC 10个月内=0.742,P<0.05)。仅发生妊娠期HBV再激活组HBV DNA水平、血清透明质酸、层黏连蛋白、三型前胶原N端肽、四型胶原蛋白、C反应蛋白、白细胞介素6、肿瘤坏死因子α低于仅发生产后HBV再激活组、妊娠期+产后HBV再激活组,CD4^(+)、CD4^(+)/CD8^(+)水平明显高于仅发生产后HBV再激活组、妊娠期+产后HBV再激活组(F=5.123、4.835、5.035、17.329、14.924、16.392、14.320、7.852、14.824、6.392,P<0.05)。年龄较低孕妇容易发生全因性产后HBV再激活(P<0.05)。结论年龄低、基线HBV DNA水平高及家庭月收入低的患者容易发生妊娠期HBV再激活,产后HBV再激活所引起的免疫损伤可能较妊娠期更为严重,年龄低者容易发生全因性产后HBV再激活。展开更多
目的探讨慢性乙型肝炎(Chronic Hepatitis B Virus,CHB)患者采用聚乙二醇干扰素α-2b(Peg Interferonα-2b,Peg-IFN-α-2b)联合核苷(酸)类似物(Nucleoside Analogues and Nucleotide Analogues,NAs)治疗对乙肝表面抗原(Hepatitis B Surf...目的探讨慢性乙型肝炎(Chronic Hepatitis B Virus,CHB)患者采用聚乙二醇干扰素α-2b(Peg Interferonα-2b,Peg-IFN-α-2b)联合核苷(酸)类似物(Nucleoside Analogues and Nucleotide Analogues,NAs)治疗对乙肝表面抗原(Hepatitis B Surface Antigen,HBsAg)清除率的影响。方法回顾性选取2019年6月—2022年6月厦门大学附属第一医院收治的148例CHB患者的临床资料,按照治疗方法的不同分成研究组(n=74)与对照组(n=74),对照组采用NAs治疗,研究组采用Peg-IFN-α-2b联合NAs治疗,比较两组患者HBsAg血清转阴率与转换率、乙肝病毒脱氧核糖核酸含量、肝功能指标、血清炎症因子水平。结果治疗12个月后,研究组HBsAg血清转阴率与转换率分别为35.14%、27.03%均高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(χ^(2)=17.995、17.299,P均<0.05)。治疗12个月后,两组患者乙肝病毒脱氧核糖核酸含量均下降,且研究组低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P均<0.05)。两组患者谷草转氨酶、谷丙转氨酶均下降,且研究组低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(t=7.713、2.089,P均<0.05)。两组患者白细胞介素-6、肿瘤坏死因子-α水平均下降,且研究组低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(t=10.820、7.032,P均<0.05)。结论CHB患者采用Peg-IFN-α-2b联合NAs治疗,可提高HBsAg血清转阴率与转换率,降低HBV-DNA含量,降低肝功能指标,降低血清炎症因子指标。展开更多
BACKGROUND In endemic areas,vertical transmission of hepatitis B virus(HBV)remains a major source of the global reservoir of infected people.Eliminating mother-to-child transmission(MTCT)of HBV is at the heart of Worl...BACKGROUND In endemic areas,vertical transmission of hepatitis B virus(HBV)remains a major source of the global reservoir of infected people.Eliminating mother-to-child transmission(MTCT)of HBV is at the heart of World Health Organization’s goal of reducing the incidence of HBV in children to less than 0.1%by 2030.Universal screening for hepatitis B during pregnancy and neonatal vaccination are the main preventive measures.AIM To evaluate the efficacy of HBV vaccination combined with one dose of immunoglobulin in children born to hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg)-positive mothers in Djibouti city.METHODS We conducted a study in a prospective cohort of HBsAg-positive pregnant women and their infants.The study ran from January 2021 to May 2022,and infants were followed up to 7 mo of age.HBV serological markers and viral load in pregnant women were measured using aVidas microparticle enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(Biomérieux,Paris,France)and the automated Amplix platform(Biosynex,Strasbourg,France).All infants received hepatitis B immunoglobulin and were vaccinated against HBV at birth.These infants were closely monitored to assess their seroprotective response and for failure of immunoprophylaxis.Simple logistic regression was also used to identify risk factors associated with immunoprophylaxis failure and poor vaccine response.All statistical analyses were performed with version 4.0.1 of the R software.RESULTS Of the 50 pregnant women recruited,the median age was 31 years,ranging from 18 years to 41 years.The MTCT rate in this cohort was 4%(2/50)in HBsAg-positive women and 67%(2/3)in hepatitis B e antigen-positive women with a viral load>200000 IU/mL.Of the 48 infants who did not fail immunoprophylaxis,8(16%)became poor responders(anti-HB<100 mIU/mL)after HBV vaccination and hepatitis B immunoglobulin,while 40(84%)infants achieved a good level of seroprotection(anti-HB>100 mIU/mL).Factors associated with this failure of immunoprophylaxis were maternal HBV DNA levels(>200000 IU/mL)and hepatitis B e antigen-positive status(odds ratio=158,95%confidence interval:5.05-4958,P<0.01).Birth weight<2500 g was associated with a poor immune response to vaccination(odds ratio=34,95%confidence interval:3.01-383.86,P<0.01).CONCLUSION Despite a failure rate of immunoprophylaxis higher than the World Health Organization target,this study showed that the combination of immunoglobulin and HBV vaccine was effective in preventing MTCT of HBV.Therefore,further studies are needed to better understand the challenges associated with immunoprophylaxis failure in infants in Djibouti city.展开更多
AIM： To investigate the clinical significance and presence of mutations in the surface （S） and overlapping polymerase gene of hepatitis B patients with coexisting HBsAg and anti-HBs. METHODS： Twenty-three patients...AIM： To investigate the clinical significance and presence of mutations in the surface （S） and overlapping polymerase gene of hepatitis B patients with coexisting HBsAg and anti-HBs. METHODS： Twenty-three patients with chronic hepatitis B were studied. Of the 23 patients, i i were both positive for hepatitis B virus （HBV） surface antigen （HBsAg） and antibody to HBV surface antigen （anti-HBs）, 12 were negative for anti-HBs while positive for HBsAg. DNA was extracted from 200 μL serum of the patients. Nucleotide of the surface and overlapping polymerase gene from HBV-infected patients was amplified by PCR, and the PCR products were sequenced. RESULTS： Forty-one mutations were found within the surface gene protein of HBV in 15 patients （10 with coexisting HBsAg and anti-HBs）. Six （14.6%） out of 41 mutations were located at ＂α＂ determinant region in 5 patients （4 positive for HBsAg and anti-HBs）. Eleven mutations （26.8%） occurred in the downstream or upstream of ＂α＂ determinant region. Lamivudine （LMV）- selected mutations were found in three patients who developed anti-HBs, which occurred in amino acid positions （196, 198, 199） of the surface protein and in YMDD motif （M204I/V） of the polymerase protein simultaneously. Presence of these mutations did not relate to changes in ALT and HBV DNA levels.CONCLUSION： Besides mutations in the ＂α＂ determinant region, mutations at downstream or upstream of the ＂α＂ determinant region may contribute to the development of anti-HBs. These mutations do not block the replicating competency of HBV in the presence of high titer of anti-HBs.展开更多
基金Supported by National Key Research and Development Program of China,No.2023YFC2308105.
文摘BACKGROUND The long-term stability of hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg)seroclearance following peginterferon alpha(peg-IFN-α)-based therapy has not been extensively studied,leaving the full potential and limitations of this strategy unclear.AIM To assess HBsAg recurrence after seroclearance achieved by peg-IFN-αregimens.METHODS This prospective,multicenter,observational study was conducted from November 2015 to June 2021 at three Chinese hospitals:The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University,Ankang Central Hospital,and The Affiliated Hospital of Yan’an University.Participants who achieved HBsAg seroclearance following peg-IFN-α-based treatments were monitored every 4-12 weeks post-treatment for hepatitis B virus(HBV)markers,HBV DNA,and liver function.The primary outcome was HBV recurrence,defined as the reemergence of HBsAg,HBV DNA,or both,at least twice within 4-8 weeks of follow-up.RESULTS In total,121 patients who achieved HBsAg seroclearance were enrolled.After a median follow-up of 84.0(48.0,132.0)weeks,four subjects were lost to follow-up.HBsAg recurrence was detected in 16 patients.The cumulative HBsAg recurrence rate in the intention-to-treat population was 15.2%.Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that consolidation time<12 weeks[odds ratio(OR)=28.044,95%CI:4.525-173.791]and hepatitis B surface antibody disappearance during follow-up(OR=46.445,95%CI:2.571-838.957)were strong predictors of HBsAg recurrence.HBV DNA positivity and decompensation of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma were not observed.CONCLUSION HBsAg seroclearance following peg-IFN-αtreatment was durable over 84 weeks of follow-up with a cumulative recurrence rate of 15.2%.
基金Supported by the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Health and Family Planning,No.PKJ2018-Y05.
文摘BACKGROUND Occult hepatitis B infection(OBI)is characterized by the detection of hepatitis B virus(HBV)DNA in serum(usually HBV DNA<200 IU/mL)or the liver but negativity for hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg).The diagnosis of OBI relies on the sensitivity of assays used in the detection of HBV DNA and HBsAg.HBsAg assays with inadequate sensitivity or inability to detect HBV S variants may lead to misdiagnosis of OBI in people with overt HBV infection.CASE SUMMARY We report a HBsAg-negative but hepatitis B envelope antigen-positive patient who had a significant HBV DNA level.The patient was initially diagnosed as having OBI.However,sequence analysis revealed a unique insertion of amino acid residues at positions 120-124 in the S protein,which affects the formation of a disulfide bond that is associated with the formation of a loop.It is well known that there is an overlap between the S protein and Pol protein.We found that this new insertion site occurred in polymerase/reverse transcriptase domain,indi-cating that this insertion might be involved in HBV pathogenicity.The patient was finally diagnosed with a false OBI.CONCLUSION An insertion of amino acid residues at positions 120-124 of the S protein affects the formation of immunodominant epitopes and results in negative HBsAg levels.
文摘The management of hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection now involves regular and appropriate monitoring of viral activity,disease progression,and treatment response.Traditional HBV infection biomarkers are limited in their ability to predict clinical outcomes or therapeutic effectiveness.Quantitation of HBV core antibodies(qAnti-HBc)is a novel non-invasive biomarker that may help with a variety of diagnostic issues.It was shown to correlate strongly with infection stages,hepatic inflammation and fibrosis,chronic infection exacerbations,and the presence of occult infection.Furthermore,qAnti-HBc levels were shown to be predictive of spontaneous or treatment-induced HBeAg and HBsAg seroclearance,relapse after medication termination,re-infection following liver transplantation,and viral reactivation in the presence of immunosuppression.qAnti-HBc,on the other hand,cannot be relied on as a single diagnostic test to address all problems,and its diagnostic and prognostic potential may be greatly increased when paired with qHBsAg.Commercial qAnti-HBc diagnostic kits are currently not widely available.Because many methodologies are only semi-quantitative,comparing data from various studies and defining universal cut-off values remains difficult.This review focuses on the clinical utility of qAnti-HBc and qHBsAg in chronic hepatitis B management.
文摘目的探讨慢性乙型肝炎(Chronic Hepatitis B Virus,CHB)患者采用聚乙二醇干扰素α-2b(Peg Interferonα-2b,Peg-IFN-α-2b)联合核苷(酸)类似物(Nucleoside Analogues and Nucleotide Analogues,NAs)治疗对乙肝表面抗原(Hepatitis B Surface Antigen,HBsAg)清除率的影响。方法回顾性选取2019年6月—2022年6月厦门大学附属第一医院收治的148例CHB患者的临床资料,按照治疗方法的不同分成研究组(n=74)与对照组(n=74),对照组采用NAs治疗,研究组采用Peg-IFN-α-2b联合NAs治疗,比较两组患者HBsAg血清转阴率与转换率、乙肝病毒脱氧核糖核酸含量、肝功能指标、血清炎症因子水平。结果治疗12个月后,研究组HBsAg血清转阴率与转换率分别为35.14%、27.03%均高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(χ^(2)=17.995、17.299,P均<0.05)。治疗12个月后,两组患者乙肝病毒脱氧核糖核酸含量均下降,且研究组低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P均<0.05)。两组患者谷草转氨酶、谷丙转氨酶均下降,且研究组低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(t=7.713、2.089,P均<0.05)。两组患者白细胞介素-6、肿瘤坏死因子-α水平均下降,且研究组低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(t=10.820、7.032,P均<0.05)。结论CHB患者采用Peg-IFN-α-2b联合NAs治疗,可提高HBsAg血清转阴率与转换率,降低HBV-DNA含量,降低肝功能指标,降低血清炎症因子指标。
基金Supported by the Attestation de Financement de These de Doctorat,Dakar le 28/10/2019.
文摘BACKGROUND In endemic areas,vertical transmission of hepatitis B virus(HBV)remains a major source of the global reservoir of infected people.Eliminating mother-to-child transmission(MTCT)of HBV is at the heart of World Health Organization’s goal of reducing the incidence of HBV in children to less than 0.1%by 2030.Universal screening for hepatitis B during pregnancy and neonatal vaccination are the main preventive measures.AIM To evaluate the efficacy of HBV vaccination combined with one dose of immunoglobulin in children born to hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg)-positive mothers in Djibouti city.METHODS We conducted a study in a prospective cohort of HBsAg-positive pregnant women and their infants.The study ran from January 2021 to May 2022,and infants were followed up to 7 mo of age.HBV serological markers and viral load in pregnant women were measured using aVidas microparticle enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(Biomérieux,Paris,France)and the automated Amplix platform(Biosynex,Strasbourg,France).All infants received hepatitis B immunoglobulin and were vaccinated against HBV at birth.These infants were closely monitored to assess their seroprotective response and for failure of immunoprophylaxis.Simple logistic regression was also used to identify risk factors associated with immunoprophylaxis failure and poor vaccine response.All statistical analyses were performed with version 4.0.1 of the R software.RESULTS Of the 50 pregnant women recruited,the median age was 31 years,ranging from 18 years to 41 years.The MTCT rate in this cohort was 4%(2/50)in HBsAg-positive women and 67%(2/3)in hepatitis B e antigen-positive women with a viral load>200000 IU/mL.Of the 48 infants who did not fail immunoprophylaxis,8(16%)became poor responders(anti-HB<100 mIU/mL)after HBV vaccination and hepatitis B immunoglobulin,while 40(84%)infants achieved a good level of seroprotection(anti-HB>100 mIU/mL).Factors associated with this failure of immunoprophylaxis were maternal HBV DNA levels(>200000 IU/mL)and hepatitis B e antigen-positive status(odds ratio=158,95%confidence interval:5.05-4958,P<0.01).Birth weight<2500 g was associated with a poor immune response to vaccination(odds ratio=34,95%confidence interval:3.01-383.86,P<0.01).CONCLUSION Despite a failure rate of immunoprophylaxis higher than the World Health Organization target,this study showed that the combination of immunoglobulin and HBV vaccine was effective in preventing MTCT of HBV.Therefore,further studies are needed to better understand the challenges associated with immunoprophylaxis failure in infants in Djibouti city.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.30271182
文摘AIM： To investigate the clinical significance and presence of mutations in the surface （S） and overlapping polymerase gene of hepatitis B patients with coexisting HBsAg and anti-HBs. METHODS： Twenty-three patients with chronic hepatitis B were studied. Of the 23 patients, i i were both positive for hepatitis B virus （HBV） surface antigen （HBsAg） and antibody to HBV surface antigen （anti-HBs）, 12 were negative for anti-HBs while positive for HBsAg. DNA was extracted from 200 μL serum of the patients. Nucleotide of the surface and overlapping polymerase gene from HBV-infected patients was amplified by PCR, and the PCR products were sequenced. RESULTS： Forty-one mutations were found within the surface gene protein of HBV in 15 patients （10 with coexisting HBsAg and anti-HBs）. Six （14.6%） out of 41 mutations were located at ＂α＂ determinant region in 5 patients （4 positive for HBsAg and anti-HBs）. Eleven mutations （26.8%） occurred in the downstream or upstream of ＂α＂ determinant region. Lamivudine （LMV）- selected mutations were found in three patients who developed anti-HBs, which occurred in amino acid positions （196, 198, 199） of the surface protein and in YMDD motif （M204I/V） of the polymerase protein simultaneously. Presence of these mutations did not relate to changes in ALT and HBV DNA levels.CONCLUSION： Besides mutations in the ＂α＂ determinant region, mutations at downstream or upstream of the ＂α＂ determinant region may contribute to the development of anti-HBs. These mutations do not block the replicating competency of HBV in the presence of high titer of anti-HBs.
