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ABSTRACT: Aim
To evaluate HBV quasispecies (QA) complexity in the preCore/Core regions in relation to HBeAg status, and explore QA changes under natural evolution and nucleoside analogue (NUC) treatment.Methods
Ultra-deep pyrosequencing of HBV preCore/Core regions in 30 sequential samples (baseline [diagnosis], treatment-free, and treatment-nonresponse) from 10 retrospectively selected patients grouped according to HBeAg status over time: HBeAg+ (N?=?4), HBeAg- (N?=?2), and fluctuating HBeAg (transient seroreversion/seroconversion pattern) (N?=?4). QA complexity was defined by Shannon entropy, mutation frequency, nucleotide diversity, and mutation frequency of amino acids (MfAA) in preCore and Core.Results
The QA was less complex in HBeAg+ than in HBeAg- or fluctuating HBeAg. High complexity in preCore was associated with decreased viral replication (preCore MfAA negatively correlated with HBV-DNA, p?=?0.005). QA complexity in the treatment-free period negatively correlated with values seen during treatment. Specific variants were mainly selected in the Core region in HBeAg- and fluctuating HBeAg patients, suggesting higher immune pressure than in HBeAg+.Conclusions
The negative correlation between QA natural evolution and on-treatment evolution indicates the importance of pre-treatment QA study to predict QA changes in NUC nonresponders. Study of QA complexity could be useful for managing HBV infection.
SUBMITTER: Homs M
PROVIDER: S-EPMC4231103 | biostudies-literature | 2014
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Homs Maria M Caballero Andrea A Gregori Josep J Tabernero David D Quer Josep J Nieto Leonardo L Esteban Rafael R Buti Maria M Rodriguez-Frias Francisco F
PloS one 20141113 11
<h4>Aim</h4>To evaluate HBV quasispecies (QA) complexity in the preCore/Core regions in relation to HBeAg status, and explore QA changes under natural evolution and nucleoside analogue (NUC) treatment.<h4>Methods</h4>Ultra-deep pyrosequencing of HBV preCore/Core regions in 30 sequential samples (baseline [diagnosis], treatment-free, and treatment-nonresponse) from 10 retrospectively selected patients grouped according to HBeAg status over time: HBeAg+ (N = 4), HBeAg- (N = 2), and fluctuating HBe ...[more]