Association of HLA-DQ polymorphisms with Hepatitis B virus infection in Turkish population

Amaç Konak genetik faktörleri hepatit B virüs (HBV) enfeksiyonunun doğal seyri ve HBV ilişkili karaciğer hastalıklarının gelişme riski ile progresyonu üzerinde etkili olabilmektedir. Bu çalışmada HLA-DQ gen rs9272105, rs2856718 ve rs9275572 polimorfizmlerinin HBV doğal klirensi, viral yük ve HBV ile ilişkili karaciğer hasarı gelişimi ile ilişkisinin değerlendirilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Gereç ve Yöntem Çalışmaya 150 kronik hepatit B (KHB) hastası ile kontrol grubu olarak 58’i kronik hepatit C (KHC) ve 82’si farklı klinik endikasyonlar nedeniyle karaciğer biyopsi işlemi gerçekleştirilen 140 hasta dâhil edildi. HLA-DQ rs9272105, rs2856718 ve rs9275572 genotip ve polimorfizmlerinin belirlenmesinde TaqMan SNP genotiplendirme yöntemi kullanıldı. Bulgular KHB’li ve kontrol grubundaki hastaların HLA-DQ gen rs9272105, rs2856718 ve rs9275572 genotip ve allel frekansları arasında farklılık tespit edildi (P<0,05). HLA-DQ rs9272105 AA genotip ve A allel varlığı, hepatit B yüzey antijen (Hepatitis B surface antigen; HBSAg) klirensi ve karaciğer hasarı ile ilişkiliydi (p<0,05). HLA-DQ gen rs2856718 ve rs9275572 ise HBV klirensi ve hastaların histolojik sonuçlarıyla ve ayrıca rs9272105 de dâhil hastaların viral yükleriyle ilişkili değildi. Sonuç HLA-DQ rs9272105 AA genotip ve A allel gerek HBV enfeksiyonunun kronikleşmesi gerekse HBV ilişkili karaciğer hasarının gelişmesi için risk faktördür.Objective Host genetic factors can affect the natural course of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and the risk of development and progression of HBV-related liver diseases. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of the HLA-DQ gene polymorphisms rs9272105, rs2856718 and rs9275572 with HBV natural clearance, viral load and the development of HBV associated liver injury. Materials and Methods The study included 150 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and 140 patients as the control group, 58 of whom had chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and 82 of whom had undergone a liver biopsy due to different clinical indications. The HLA-DQ gene rs9272105, rs2856718 and rs9275572 polymorphisms were genotypes in liver samples using the hybridization probe assay. Results A difference was found between the HLA-DQ gene rs9272105, rs2856718 and rs9275572 genotype and allele frequencies of the patients with CHB and the control group (P<0,05). The HLA-DQ rs9272105 AA genotype and presence of A allele were associated with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) clearance and liver injury (p<0,05). In contrast, the HLA-DQ genes rs2856718 and rs9275572 were not associated with HBV clearance and patients’ histological outcomes, nor with patients’ viral load, including rs9272105. Conclusions It has been suggested that the HLA-DQ rs9272105 AA genotype and the A allele are risk factors for both the persistence of HBV infection and the development of HBV-related liver damage

Effects of smoking on healthy young men's hematologic parameters

OBJECTIVE: Cigarette smoking carries higher risks for most of the chronic diseases. It also has chronic and acute effects on the hematologic system. This study explores the effects of cigarette smoking on some blood values of the healthy young male smokers

Prognostic Value of NTCP p.Ser267Phe Variant in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B

Aim: In this study, the aim is to detect polymorphisms in the gene encoding the sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP), the functional receptor for hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis D virus. Materials and Methods: The study included a total of 293 patients, with 150 diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and 143 undergoing liver parenchyma biopsy procedures due to different clinical indications. Total DNA was isolated from liver biopsy samples. The TaqMan SNP genotyping method was used to determine the rs2296651 polymorphism in the SLC10A1 gene, which leads to the NTCP S267F variation. Results: In patients with CHB and the control group, the NTCP-interacting domain was highly conserved, and no variation of the SNP rs2296651 in the SLC10A1 gene leading to the NTCP S267F variation was detected in any of the patients. Conclusion: It was thought that in patients with CHB, the impact of the NTCP S267F variation on the progression of HBV-associated diseases and its influence on the therapeutic efficacy of anti-viral agents targeting NTCP blockade may be limited

Prevalence of occult hepatitis B infection in liver biopsy sample of patients with nonviral liver disease

Aim: To determine the prevalence of occult hepatitis B (HBV) infection (OBI) in patients with nonviral liver disease. Materials & methods: This study included 83 HBsAg-negative patients followed up at a gastroenterohepatology clinic. The presence of HBV DNA was investigated by using an in-house nested-PCR method applied to liver parenchymal biopsy samples obtained from patients who underwent due nonviral chronic liver disease. Results: OBI was detected in 19 (22.9%) of the 83 cases, in 11 (44%) of 25 anti-HBc-positive patients, and 15 (31.9%) of 47 anti-HBc and/or anti-HBs antibodies-positive patients. Conclusion: There is a considerable prevalence of OBI among patients with nonviral chronic liver disease. Therefore, it is suggested that closely monitoring HBV can be useful to prevent or more effectively manage possible OBI-related complications among patients with nonviral chronic liver disease, especially those who are HBsAg seronegative or anti-HBV antibody seropositive