[Epidemiological and clinical features of occult hepatitis B in HIV infection without antiretroviral treatment].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate and analyze the differential prevalence, as well as the risk factors and clinical features, of occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected population without antiretroviral therapy (ART) as compared to the general (non-HIV-infected) population. METHODS: Two-hundred-and-forty-eight individuals with confirmed HIV infection but ART naive (males: 220, females: 28; 15-82 years old) were enrolled in the study, along with 121 healthy individuals (confirmed HIV antibody-negative; males: 53, females: 68; 20-88 years old). HBV markers (hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg); hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg); anti-HBs, anti-HBe and anti-hepatitis B core (HBc) antibodies) were detected by microparticle enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (AxSYM immunology analyzer manufactured by Abbott Laboratories); all cases and controls were confirmed negative for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Then, the HBV DNA level in serum was detected using nucleic acid amplification assay (COBAS AmpliPrep/COBAS TaqMan HBV test, version 2.0 manufactured by Roche). CD4+ T lymphocytes were measured by flow cytometry, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT, marker of liver function) was measured by enzymatic assay. RESULTS: Twenty-four of the HIV cases (9.7%) and four of the healthy controls (3.3%) tested positive for HBV DNA; the amount of individuals with HBV DNA-positivity was significantly higher in the HIV-infected group (P = 0.035). Among the 24 cases of HBV DNA(+) HIV-infected individuals, the lowest HBV DNA load was < 20 IU/ml and the highest was 3.22 x 10s IU/ml; nine of the individuals (37.5%) had HBV DNA load > 100 IU/ml, four (16.7%) had 20-99 IU/ ml, and 11 (45.8%) had < 20 IU/ml. Among the total HIV-infected cases with HBV DNA-positivity, 7.3% (8/110) were anti-HBc(+)/anti-HBs(+), 20.8% (11/53) were anti-HBc(+)/anti-HBs(-), 14.3% (3/21) were anti-HBc(-)/anti-HBs(+), and 3.1% (2/64) were anti-HBc(-)/anti-HBs(-). The amount of individuals with HBV DNA-positivity in the anti-HBc(+)/anti-HBs(-) group was significantly different from those in the anti-HBc(+)/anti-HBs(+) group (P = 0.018) and the anti-HBc(-)/anti-HBs(-) group (P = 0.003). However, multiple comparison of HBV DNA loads detected between the four groups of HBV marker status revealed no significant difference (P = 0.805). Furthermore, statistical analysis provided no evidence to support that occult hepatitis B infection in HIV-infected individuals had any impact on CD4+ T lymphocytes count (Z = 1.902, P = 0.059) or ALT levels (Z =1.401, P = 0.161). CONCLUSION: HIV-infected individuals who are ART naive and HBsAg(-) have a higher incidence of HBV DNA-positivity than individuals in the general (non-HIV-infected) population. In addition, the highest rate of occult hepatitis B among the HIV-infected cases occurred among individuals who were anti-HBc(+)/anti-HBs(-).

[Rapid detection of the genotyping of hepatitis C virus using DNA chip with coloration methods].

OBJECTIVE: To develop a new DNA chip with coloration, which can be used for rapid and economical detection of the genotyping of hepatitis C virus (HCV). METHODS: Probes and primers were designed according to the sequence of HCV 5' non-coding region (5' NCR) to fabricate DNA chip. Experimental group consisted of 60 positive serum samples and control group consisted of 20 negative serum samples. To obtain the aimed gene, then they were hybridized with DNA chip. Finally, the results showed in a nylon film. The results of DNA sequencing of samples were used as the control in double blind experimental. RESULTS: Using DNA chip, HCV was detected in positive of all serum specimens of experimental group and negative in control group. The determination of HCV genotype by DNA chip showed corresponding rate of 96.7% with those by sequence assay. CONCLUSION: It showed higher specialty and sensitivity using DNA chip to detect the genotype of HCV. It would be valuable for the clinical genotyping of HCV

[Establishing DNA chip technique for detecting hepatitis C virus genotypes and primary application].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a new method based DNA chip technique for detecting HCV genotypes. METHODS: Genotyping probes were designed according to the sequence of HCV 5' NCR to generate DNA chip. The probes on DNA chip contains 5 major genotypes and 8 subtypes. The DNA fragment amplified by labeling Cy5 fluorescence was hybridized with DNA chip. RESULTS: Fifty-five out of 65 isolates detected by DNA chip belonged to 1b- DNA sequencing of form a part of the isolates was used as the control. The results of both were completely consistent. CONCLUSION: The method is simple and rapid with high specificity and sensitivity. It can be applied in detection of HCV RNA and genotypes.