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Hepatitis B caused by a hepatitis B surface antigen escape mutant

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Abstract

Amino acid substitutions within the S gene involving the major antigenic a determinant of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAg) have been detected in cases of failure of immunization against the virus. Our report showed development of clinical hepatitis in presence of antibody to HBsAg in a healthy individual. A single amino acid substitution (G145R) within the a determinant of the HBsAg was determined by sequencing of the isolated HBV strain. Lamivudine treatment efficiently cleared the peripheral HBV DNA, HBsAg, and hepatitis B e antigen. In conclusion, the immune escape mutant in the S gene can cause hepatitis despite pre-existing naturally acquired immunity.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gastroenterology, Internal Medicine and Pathology, Nippon Steel Yawata Memorial Hospital, 1-1-1 Harunomachi, Yahatahigashi-ku, Kitakyushu, 805-8508, Japan

    Eiji Kajiwara, Tomoko Ohashi, Kotarou Uchimura, Seizo Sadoshima & Mitsuru Kinjo

  2. Department of Clinical Molecular Informative Medicine, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan

    Yasuhito Tanaka & Masashi Mizokami

Authors
  1. Eiji Kajiwara
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  2. Yasuhito Tanaka
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  3. Tomoko Ohashi
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  4. Kotarou Uchimura
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  5. Seizo Sadoshima
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  6. Mitsuru Kinjo
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  7. Masashi Mizokami
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Kajiwara, E., Tanaka, Y., Ohashi, T. et al. Hepatitis B caused by a hepatitis B surface antigen escape mutant. J Gastroenterol 43, 243–247 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00535-007-2150-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00535-007-2150-9

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