Not uncommon: HBV genotype G co‐infections among healthy European HBV carriers with genotype A and E infection

• DOI: 10.1111/liv.14884
• Publication Date: 2021-03-31T08:01:01Z
• Authors: Michael Basic; Alica Kubesch; Lisa Kuhnhenn; Esra Görgülü; Fabian Finkelmeier; Julia Dietz; Mate Knabe; Victoria T. Mücke; Marcus M. Mücke; Annemarie Berger; Stefan Zeuzem; Christoph Sarrazin; Eberhard Hildt; Kai‐Henrik Peiffer
• Keywords: Viral quasispecies; Hepatitis B

Abstract Background & Aims HBV genotype G (HBV/G) is mainly found in co‐infections with other genotypes and was identified as an independent risk factor for liver fibrosis. This study aimed to analyse the prevalence of HBV/G healthy European carriers characterize crosstalk genotypes. Methods A total 560 were tested via HBV/G‐specific PCR co‐infections. Quasispecies distribution analysed deep sequencing, clinical phenotype characterized regarding qHBsAg‐/HBV‐DNA levels frequent mutations. Replicative capacity expression HBsAg/core studied hepatoma cells co‐expressing either HBV/A, HBV/D or HBV/E using bicistronic vectors. Results Although no co‐infection by routine genotyping PCR, detected specific 4%‐8% patients infected HBV/A but only infrequently In contrast HBV/E, quasispecies major variant HBV/A. No differences observed vitro RNA DNA comparable among all genotypes, release HBsAg reduced co‐expression HBV/E. core enhanced while from corresponding markedly diminished. Conclusions are common inactive infection, sufficient detection depends strongly on assay. regulated might play a critical role survival