PreS deletion mutations of hepatitis B virus in chronically infected patients with simultaneous seropositivity for hepatitis-B surface antigen and anti-HBS antibodies.

Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HBs antibodies (anti-HBs) may coexist in certain chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. This study was designed to further explore the relationship between this coexistence and hepatitis B Virus (HBV) preS deletions. Sera of 28 patients carrying both HBsAg and anti-HBs (Group I) and those of another 28 HBsAg positive but anti-HBs negative patients (Group II) were collected from CHB patients. Direct sequencing of polymerase chain reaction products or sequencing of clones was applied to both groups to determine sequences of HBV preS and S genes. Genotyping of the S gene indicated that all sampled HBVs were either Genosubtype Ba or Genosubtype Ce. Seven samples in Group I harbored HBV preS deletion mutations. Three of the seven samples showed large deletion mutations in 3' terminus of preS1 and co-existence of the mutant type and the full-length wild type, and the remaining four samples showed deletion mutations in 5' terminus of preS2. All mutant strains were found to be genosubtype Ce. Only two samples in Group I showed G145R/A mutation. Only one sample in Group II contained preS deletion mutation. It is therefore concluded that HBV preS deletion mutations are likely to be related to the coexistence of HBsAg and anti-HBs in CHB patients (P-value = 0.024). Some immune reactions may select for the preS deletion in CHB patients with anti-HBs, the possible marker for immune selection.

[The kinetic and mathematical model of PCR amplification experiment].

The PCR technique has been set up for nearly twenty years and is becoming more and more ripe. But because of the multiple influencing factors and complicated reaction procedures,no mathematical method that can describe the PCR reaction has been given. On the basis of its elementary principle,we suggested a kinetic equation to describe the reaction procedure,Wamp=[Ntarg x (1+P)n1+0.5 x Cenz x U x P x Ceactive x (n-nl)-Ntarg x (1+n x P)] x Cu x M. This equation can describe correctly the accumulation rule of PCR product and thus build up the kinetic-mathematical model of PCR reaction. The predicted CT value of PE 7700 by the kinetic-mathematical model was in accordance with the real value detected by the machine. This kinetic-mathematical model accompanied by proper detecting equipment and computer could make an automatic PCR instrument, which would produce much better result. A laboratory can predict the amount of PCR product by this model and provide accurate information for further handling of PCR product according to its own condition. In this model,the molecular basis that PCR reaction is doomed to change from exponential amplification to linear amplification had been clarified.