RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Much evidence demonstrates that the genotypes of hepatitis B virus (HBV) present differences in pathogenicity and outcomes owing to differences in genetic structure. This study aimed to investigate the influences of HBV genotypes on the anti-viral therapeutic efficacy of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) in chronic hepatitis B patients, and to determine the relationship between HBV genotypes and levels of viral replication or gene variations. METHODS: The chronic hepatitis B patients who were treated with IFN-alpha were selected randomly. Anti-viral therapeutic efficacy was monitored in these patients. The HBV genotypes were detected by PCR microplate hybridization ELISA. The levels of serum HBV-DNA were determined by fluorescence quantitative PCR. HBV gene variation at pre-C and basic core promoter (BCP) regions were assayed by gene chip technology. RESULTS: Genotypes B and C were predominant in 94 chronic hepatitis B patients. A, E and F genotypes were not found in these patients. The HBV-DNA levels of genotype C and mixed genotypes were significantly higher than those of genotype B. The response to IFN-alpha in patients with genotype B was markedly better than in those with genotypes C and D, and the complete response to IFN-alpha was only observed in genotype B. The response to IFN-alpha in patients with mixed genotypes was the least sensitive. The negative transition of HBeAg was correlated with variations in the HBV pre-C and BCP regions in patients with partial or no response to IFN-alpha. The variation rates of HBV pre-C and BCP regions were clearly higher in genotype C than in genotype B. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that HBV genotype is correlated with the serum levels of HBV-DNA, HBV gene variations and therapeutic efficacy of IFN-alpha. The regular detection of HBV genotypes in the clinic will be of benefit for disease prognosis and planning of anti-viral therapeutic strategies.
Assuntos
Antivirais/uso terapêutico , Vírus da Hepatite B/genética , Hepatite B Crônica/tratamento farmacológico , Interferon-alfa/uso terapêutico , Adolescente , Adulto , DNA Viral/sangue , Feminino , Genótipo , Hepatite B Crônica/genética , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-IdadeRESUMO
In order to improve the management of environment and human health, this paper presented the new concept of human health, and developed the environmental health informatics. Its features, structure and major approach for application have been summarized. The future development of environmental health informatics was discussed.