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Clinicopathological study of occult hepatitis B virus infection in hepatitis C virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019; 31:716-722. [PMID: 30870221 DOI: 10.1097/meg.0000000000001388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Occult hepatitis B virus infection (OBI) frequently occurs in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infection, but the influence of OBI on CHC outcome is still uncertain. The aim of the present study was to clarify the clinical and pathological characteristics of OBI in CHC-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). PATIENTS AND METHODS DNA was obtained from serum and tumor tissue of patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related HCC with negative HBsAg and from patients with HCV-related liver cirrhosis. HBV-DNA was detected using qPCR. Clinicopathological features were compared between patients with HCC with and without OBI. RESULTS On the basis of positive serum and tissue HBV-DNA typing, the overall frequency of OBI was 50% in patients with HCV-related HCC. HBV genotype D was the most dominant, constituting 35.3% of HCC cases. Almost 80% of patients with OBI had anti-HBc, whereas 20% of patients had no serological markers. Tissue HBV-DNA showed significant association with positive serum HBV-DNA, anti-HBc, and genotype D. There were no clinical differences between patients with HCC with and without OBI; however, patients with OBI tended to be younger. HCC cases with positive OBI were significantly associated with positive anti-HBc antibodies and late histological grades (3-4). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the presence of OBI was a predictor of more advanced HCC histological grades in patients with HCV infection. CONCLUSION OBI was detected in 50% of HCV-infected patients with HCC. OBI was strongly associated with the presence of anti-HBc antibodies. Patients with HCC with positive OBI were younger and had more advanced HCC histological grades.
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Yamaji K, Kai K, Komukai S, Koga H, Ide T, Kawaguchi A, Noshiro H, Aishima S. Occult HBV infection status and its impact on surgical outcomes in patients with curative resection for HCV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatobiliary Surg Nutr 2019; 7:443-453. [PMID: 30652089 DOI: 10.21037/hbsn.2018.10.01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Background We sought to clarify the prevalence of occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (OBI) and to determine whether OBI affects the surgical outcomes in curatively resected Japanese patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods A total of 257 patients with HCV-related HCC who underwent curative surgical resection were enrolled. All enrolled patients were serologically negative for HBV surface antigen and positive for HCV antibody. DNA was extracted from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded liver tissue. OBI was determined by the HBV-DNA amplification of at least two different sets of primers by TaqMan real-time polymerase chain reaction. Surgical outcomes were evaluated according to overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), and disease-free survival (DFS). Results OBI was identified in 15 of the 257 (5.8%) cases. In the multivariate analyses, the factors significantly correlated with OS were BMI >25 (P=0.0416), portal vein invasion (P=0.0065), and multiple tumors (P=0.0064). The only factor significantly correlated with DSS was T-stage (P=0.0275). The factors significantly correlated with DFS were liver fibrosis (P=0.0017) and T-stage (P=0.0001). The status of OBI did not show any significant correlation with OS, DSS or DFS, but a weak association with DSS (P=0.0603) was observed. Conclusions The prevalence of OBI was 5.8% in 257 cases of HCV-related HCC. Although a weak association between DSS and OBI was observed, and statistical analyses were limited by small number of OBI cases, no significant correlation between OBI and surgical outcomes was detected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koutaro Yamaji
- Department of Surgery, Saga University Faculty of Medicine, Saga 849-8501, Japan.,Department of Pathology & Microbiology, Saga University Faculty of Medicine, Saga 849-8501, Japan
| | - Keita Kai
- Department of Pathology, Saga University Hospital, Saga 849-8501, Japan
| | - Sho Komukai
- Clinical Research Center, Saga University Hospital, Saga 849-8501, Japan
| | - Hiroki Koga
- Department of Surgery, Saga University Faculty of Medicine, Saga 849-8501, Japan
| | - Takao Ide
- Department of Surgery, Saga University Faculty of Medicine, Saga 849-8501, Japan
| | - Atsushi Kawaguchi
- Center for Comprehensive Community Medicine, Saga University Faculty of Medicine, Saga 849-8501, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Noshiro
- Department of Surgery, Saga University Faculty of Medicine, Saga 849-8501, Japan
| | - Shinichi Aishima
- Department of Pathology & Microbiology, Saga University Faculty of Medicine, Saga 849-8501, Japan.,Department of Pathology, Saga University Hospital, Saga 849-8501, Japan
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Jonaidi-Jafari N, Rezaee-Zavareh MS, Tavallaei-Nosratabadi J, Ajudani R, Ramezani-Binabaj M, Karimi-Sari H, Izadi M, Ranjbar R, Miri SM, Alavian SM. Occult Hepatitis B Infection in Hepatitis C Patients with Hematological Disorders. Jundishapur J Microbiol 2016; 10. [DOI: 10.5812/jjm.40816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
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Cho J, Lee SS, Choi YS, Jeon Y, Chung JW, Baeg JY, Si WK, Jang ES, Kim JW, Jeong SH. Occult hepatitis B virus infection is not associated with disease progression of chronic hepatitis C virus infection. World J Gastroenterol 2016; 22:9427-9436. [PMID: 27895431 PMCID: PMC5107707 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v22.i42.9427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2016] [Revised: 08/18/2016] [Accepted: 09/06/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To clarify the prevalence of occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (OBI) and the association between OBI and liver disease progression, defined as development of liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), worsening of Child-Pugh class, or mortality in cases of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.
METHODS This prospective cohort study enrolled 174 patients with chronic HCV infection (chronic hepatitis, n = 83; cirrhosis, n = 47; HCC, n = 44), and evaluated disease progression during a mean follow-up of 38.7 mo. OBI was defined as HBV DNA positivity in 2 or more different viral genomic regions by nested polymerase chain reaction using 4 sets of primers in the S, C, P and X open reading frame of the HBV genome.
RESULTS The overall OBI prevalence in chronic HCV patients at enrollment was 18.4%, with 16.9%, 25.5% and 13.6% in the chronic hepatitis C, liver cirrhosis and HCC groups, respectively (P = 0.845). During follow-up, 52 patients showed disease progression, which was independently associated with aspartate aminotransferase > 40 IU/L, Child-Pugh score and sustained virologic response (SVR), but not with OBI positivity. In 136 patients who were not in the SVR state during the study period, OBI positivity was associated with neither disease progression, nor HCC development.
CONCLUSION The prevalence of OBI in chronic HCV patients was 18.4%, and OBI was not associated with disease progression in South Koreans.
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Makvandi M. Update on occult hepatitis B virus infection. World J Gastroenterol 2016; 22:8720-8734. [PMID: 27818588 PMCID: PMC5075547 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v22.i39.8720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2016] [Revised: 06/13/2016] [Accepted: 07/20/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The event of mutations in the surface antigen gene of hepatitis B virus (HBV) results in undetectable hepatitis B surface antigen with positive/negative anti-hepatitis B core (anti-HBc) antibody status in serum and this phenomenon is named occult hepatitis B infection (OBI). The presence of anti-HBc antibody in serum is an important key for OBI tracking, although about 20% of OBI cases are negative for anti-HBc antibody. The diagnosis of OBI is mainly based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and real-time PCR assays. However, real-time PCR is a more reliable method than PCR. OBI is a great issue for the public health problem and a challenge for the clinical entity worldwide. The persistence of OBI may lead to the development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. With regard to OBI complications, the screening of HBV DNA by the highly sensitive molecular means should be implemented for: (1) patients with a previous history of chronic or acute HBV infection; (2) patients co-infected with hepatitis C virus/human immunodeficiency virus; (3) patients undergoing chemotherapy or anti-CD20 therapy; (4) recipients of organ transplant; (5) blood donors; (6) organ transplant donors; (7) thalassemia and hemophilia patients; (8) health care workers; (9) patients with liver related disease (cryptogenic); (10) hemodialysis patients; (11) patients undergoing lamivudine or interferon therapy; and (12) children in time of HBV vaccination especially in highly endemic areas of HBV. Active HBV vaccination should be implemented for the close relatives of patients who are negative for OBI markers. Thus, the goal of this review is to evaluate the rate of OBI with a focus on status of high risk groups in different regions of the world.
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Raouf HE, Yassin AS, Megahed SA, Ashour MS, Mansour TM. Seroprevalence of occult hepatitis B among Egyptian paediatric hepatitis C cancer patients. J Viral Hepat 2015; 22:103-11. [PMID: 24754376 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.12260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2013] [Accepted: 03/26/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Occult hepatitis B infection is characterized by the presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in the serum in the absence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections in Egypt is among the highest in the world. In this study, we aim at analysing the rates of occult HBV infections among HCV paediatric cancer patients in Egypt. The prevalence of occult HBV was assessed in two groups of paediatric cancer patients (HCV positive and HCV negative), in addition to a third group of paediatric noncancer patients, which was used as a general control. All groups were negative for HBsAg and positive for HCV antibody. HBV DNA was detected by nested PCR and real-time PCR. HCV was detected by real-time PCR. Sequencing was carried out in order to determine HBV genotypes to all HBV patients as well as to detect any mutation that might be responsible for the occult phenotype. Occult hepatitis B infection was observed in neither the non-HCV paediatric cancer patients nor the paediatric noncancer patients but was found in 31% of the HCV-positive paediatric cancer patients. All the detected HBV patients belonged to HBV genotype D, and mutations were found in the surface genome of HBV leading to occult HBV. Occult HBV infection seems to be relatively frequent in HCV-positive paediatric cancer patients, indicating that HBsAg negativity is not sufficient to completely exclude HBV infection. These findings emphasize the importance of considering occult HBV infection in HCV-positive paediatric cancer patients especially in endemic areas as Egypt.
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Affiliation(s)
- H E Raouf
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Modern Sciences and Arts University, Giza, Egypt
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Kim KH, Chang HY, Park JY, Park ES, Park YK, Han KH, Ahn SH. Spontaneous HBsAg loss in Korean patients: relevance of viral genotypes, S gene mutations, and covalently closed circular DNA copy numbers. Clin Mol Hepatol 2014; 20:251-60. [PMID: 25320728 PMCID: PMC4197173 DOI: 10.3350/cmh.2014.20.3.251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2014] [Revised: 07/11/2014] [Accepted: 08/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background/Aims Occult HBV infection can persist following HBsAg loss and be transmitted, but the virological features are not well defined. Methods Here we investigated 25 Korean patients who lost HBsAg during follow up, either spontaneously or subsequent to therapy. Results Whereas subtype adr (genotype C) was found in 96% of HBsAg positive patients, 75 % of patients who lost HBsAg spontaneously were seemed to be infected with the ayw subtype with sequence similar to genotype D. Mutations in the major hydrophilic region (MHR) of HBsAg were found in 7 patients who lost HBsAg spontaneously. The mutations include T123S, M125I/N, C139R, D144E, V177A, L192F, and W196L, some of which have not been reported before. Functional analysis via transfection experiments indicate that the C139R and D144E mutations drastically reduced HBsAg antigenicity, while the Y225del mutation found in one interferon-treated patient impaired HBsAg secretion. Conclusions Lack of detectable HBsAg in patient serum could be explained by low level of ccc DNA in liver tissue, low antigenicity of the surface protein, or its secretion defect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyun-Hwan Kim
- Department of Pharmacology and Center for Cancer Research and Diagnostic Medicine, IBST, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea. ; KU Open Innovation Center, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea. ; Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hye-Young Chang
- Deparment of Internal medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jun Yong Park
- Deparment of Internal medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ; Brain Korea 21 Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ; Liver Cirrhosis Clinical Research Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Eun-Sook Park
- Department of Pharmacology and Center for Cancer Research and Diagnostic Medicine, IBST, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea. ; KU Open Innovation Center, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yong Kwang Park
- Department of Pharmacology and Center for Cancer Research and Diagnostic Medicine, IBST, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kwang-Hyub Han
- Deparment of Internal medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ; Brain Korea 21 Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ; Liver Cirrhosis Clinical Research Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sang Hoon Ahn
- Deparment of Internal medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ; Brain Korea 21 Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ; Liver Cirrhosis Clinical Research Center, Seoul, Korea
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Kim YS. [Definition, diagnosis, and prevalence of occult hepatitis B virus infection]. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY 2014; 62:143-7. [PMID: 24077623 DOI: 10.4166/kjg.2013.62.3.143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Occult HBV infection is characterized by the absence of serum HBsAg with persistence of low level of intrahepatic HBV DNA. Several suggested mechanisms for the origin of occult HBV infection include strong suppression of viral replication and gene expression, mutation in the regulatory regions of HBV genome, formation of immunoglobulin-bound HBsAg, viral interference, and blockage of HBsAg secretion from infected hepatocytes. Standardized assays are not yet available, and sensitive HBV DNA amplification assay is necessary for the diagnosis of cryptic infection. Detection rate of HBV DNA is highest in IgG anti-HBc positive population. However, neither anti-HBc nor anti-HBs can be detected in a significant proportion of infected persons. Occult HBV infection occurs in a number of clinical settings and is highly prevalent in HCV-infected patients as well as in patients with cryptogenic chronic liver disease including hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Soo Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Gachon University School of Medicine, Incheon, Korea
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Jang JY, Park EJ. [Occult hepatitis B virus infection in chronic hepatitis C]. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY 2014; 62:154-9. [PMID: 24077625 DOI: 10.4166/kjg.2013.62.3.154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Occult HBV infection is defined as the presence of HBV DNA in the liver (with or without detectable or undetectable HBV DNA in the serum) of individuals testing negative for HBsAg. Studies on occult HBV infection in hepatitis C patients have reported highly variable prevalence, because the prevalence of occult HBV infection varies depending on the hepatitis B risk factors and methodological approaches. The most reliable diagnostic approach for detecting occult HBV detection is through examination of liver DNA extracts. HCV has been suspected to strongly suppress HBV replication up to the point where it may be directly responsible for occult HBV infection development. However, more data are needed to arrive at a definitive conclusion regarding the role of HCV in inducing occult HBV infection. Occult HBV infection in chronic hepatitis C patients is a complex biological entity with possible relevant clinical implications. Influence of occult HBV infection on the clinical outcomes of chronic hepatitis C may be considered negative. However, recent studies have shown that occult HBV infection could be associated with the development of hepatocellular carcinoma and contribute to the worsening of the course of chronic liver disease over time in chronic hepatitis C patients. Nevertheless, the possible role of occult HBV infection in chronic hepatitis C is still unresolved and no firm conclusion has been made up until now. It still remains unclear how occult HBV infection affects the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. Therefore, in order to resolve current controversies and understand the pathogenic role and clinical impacts of occult HBV infection in chronic hepatitis C patients, well-designed clinical studies are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae Young Jang
- Institution for Digestive Research, Digestive Disease Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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The presence of hepatitis B core antibody is associated with more advanced liver disease in alcoholic patients with cirrhosis. Alcohol 2013; 47:553-8. [PMID: 24041840 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2013.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2013] [Revised: 06/27/2013] [Accepted: 07/05/2013] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liver disease is more severe in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections and alcohol-induced liver injury. Whether the same is true for alcoholic patients with cirrhosis who have recovered from previous HBV infections remains to be determined. OBJECTIVES To document the extent of liver disease in alcoholic patients with cirrhosis who test negative for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and test positive for antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc). METHODS Two hundred fifty-four alcoholic patients with cirrhosis were divided into anti-HBc-positive (N = 171) and anti-HBc-negative (N = 83) cohorts. Demographic, clinical, and biochemical features were retrospectively analyzed. Prognostic scores and the prevalence of patients at high risk for short-term mortality were calculated. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with an increased risk for short-term mortality. RESULTS Jaundice was more common in the anti-HBc-positive cohort (32.2% vs. 18.1%, p = 0.02). This cohort also had higher serum bilirubin (70.9 vs. 50.4 μM/L, p = 0.03), prothrombin times (15.6 vs. 14.4 s, p = 0.01), MELD scores (8.5 vs. 4.6, p = 0.01), i-MELD scores (28.6 vs. 24.7, p = 0.03), MDF scores (14.2 vs. 6.8, p = 0.02) and ABIC scores (7.2 vs. 6.6, p = 0.01). In addition, anti-HBC-positive patients were more often at high risk for short-term mortality (40.4% vs. 26.5%, p = 0.03). Multivariate analysis identified anti-HBc-positive status (OR: 1.84; 95% CI: 1.10-3.36) and alcohol intake ≥150 g/day (OR: 2.01; 95% CI: 1.10-3.66) as independent risk factors for high risk of mortality. CONCLUSION The anti-HBc-positive state is associated with more advanced liver disease in alcoholic patients with cirrhosis. A prospective study including HBV-DNA testing and liver biopsies should be considered to validate and further elucidate these findings.
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Taha SE, El-Hady SA, Ahmed TM, Ahmed IZ. Detection of occult HBV infection by nested PCR assay among chronic hepatitis C patients with and without hepatocellular carcinoma. EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL HUMAN GENETICS 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmhg.2013.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
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