Hepatitis B and C Virus Variants in Long-Term Immunosuppressed Renal Transplant Patients in Latvia

Vol. 48, No. 2-3, 2005

Free Abstract Article (References) Article (PDF 492 KB)

Original Paper

Hepatitis B and C Virus Variants in Long-Term Immunosuppressed Renal Transplant Patients in Latvia
Irina Sominskaya^a, Marija Mihailova^a, Juris Jansons^a, Viktorija Emelyanova^a, Inese Folkmane^b, Eriks Smagris^b, Uga Dumpis^b, Rafails Rozentals^b, Paul Pumpens^a

^aBiomedical Research and Study Centre, University of Latvia, and
^bStradins University Hospital, Riga, Latvia

Address of Corresponding Author

Intervirology 2005;48:192-200 (DOI: 10.1159/000081748)

Key Words

Hepatitis B virus
Hepatitis C virus
Genotype
Subtypes
Variant
Mutation

Abstract

The incidence of genome variants of hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses among 38 long-term (2-15 years) immunosuppressed patients after renal transplantation and 10 patients undergoing dialysis was investigated. Twelve patients had only HBV infection, 9 had only HCV infection and 14 were co-infected. Regions corresponding to the HBV X/EnII/BCP, preC/C, preS/S and to the HCV core were sequenced for molecular characterization of the HBV and HCV genomes. Fifty-seven percent of HBV DNA isolates belonged to genotype D and 42% to genotype A, whereas 77% of HCV RNA isolates belonged to genotype 1b and only 17% to genotype 3a. One sample (6%) was of genotype 2c. Detailed analysis of the above-mentioned HBV genome regions revealed the presence of nucleotide point mutations, which, in some cases, resulted in amino acid substitutions. The clinical significance of such mutations is discussed.

Author Contacts

Irina Sominskaya
Biomedical Research and Study Centre, University of Latvia
Ratsupites 1
LV-1067 Riga (Latvia)
Tel. +371 7808212, Fax +371 7442407, E-Mail irina@biomed.lu.lv

Article Information

Received: February 2, 2004
Accepted after revision: September 10, 2004
Number of Print Pages : 9
Number of Figures : 3, Number of Tables : 2, Number of References : 48

Medline Abstract (ID 15812194)

Download Citation

Cited In

This journal is part of the second subject package of the Karger

Journal Archive Collection

Information on packages (PDF)
Free sample issues

For non-native English speakers and international authors who would like assistance with their writing before submission, we suggest American Journal Experts for their scientific editing service.