Characterization of BCP/PreC/C region quasispecies in treatment-naive patients with different phases of HBV infection using next-generation sequencing

Chenggong Zhu; Minjie Tang; Ya Fu; Zhen Xun; Caorui Lin; Songhang Wu; Tianbin Chen; Yongbin Zeng; Bin Yang; Qishui Ou; Can Liu

International Journal of Medical Microbiology (Jun 2024)

Characterization of BCP/PreC/C region quasispecies in treatment-naive patients with different phases of HBV infection using next-generation sequencing

Chenggong Zhu,
Minjie Tang,
Ya Fu,
Zhen Xun,
Caorui Lin,
Songhang Wu,
Tianbin Chen,
Yongbin Zeng,
Bin Yang,
Qishui Ou,
Can Liu

Affiliations

Chenggong Zhu: Fujian Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine of Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
Minjie Tang: Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Afﬁliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Gene Diagnostic Research Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
Ya Fu: Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Afﬁliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Gene Diagnostic Research Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Fujian Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
Zhen Xun: Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Afﬁliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Gene Diagnostic Research Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Fujian Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
Caorui Lin: Fujian Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
Songhang Wu: Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Afﬁliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Gene Diagnostic Research Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
Tianbin Chen: Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Afﬁliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Gene Diagnostic Research Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
Yongbin Zeng: Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Afﬁliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Gene Diagnostic Research Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
Bin Yang: Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Afﬁliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Gene Diagnostic Research Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Fujian Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Fujian Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine of Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
Qishui Ou: Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Afﬁliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Gene Diagnostic Research Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Fujian Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Fujian Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine of Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Corresponding authors at: Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Afﬁliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
Can Liu: Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Afﬁliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Gene Diagnostic Research Center, the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Fujian Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Fujian Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine of Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China; Corresponding authors at: Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Afﬁliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 315
p. 151619

Abstract

Read online

Background: To analysis of quasispecies (QS) changes and high-frequency mutations in the BCP/PreC/C region of patients at different phases of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and provides novel biomarkers for the diagnosis of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. Methods: With the application of next-generation sequencing technology, we were able to sequence the HBV BCP/PreC/C regions in 40 patients, each at different phases of the HBV infection. The heterogeneity of QS and the frequency of mutations were calculated using MEGA 7 software. Results: Our results show that the complexity and diversity of the BCP/PreC/C QS in HBeAg-positive CHB patients are significantly higher than those in HBeAg-positive chronic infection patients, while HBeAg-negative chronic infection patients had significantly higher QS complexity and diversity than HBeAg-negative CHB patients. In addition, HBeAg-negative patients showed reduced complexity but increased diversity compared with HBeAg-positive patients. Receiver operating characteristic curves showed that G1764A, C2102T, dN and complexity of QS could be used as potential biomarkers for diagnosing HBeAg-positive CHB, while the A2189C, dS and complexity of QS could be used as potential biomarkers for diagnosing HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis. Finally, our study also found that G1896A and A2159G may be hotspot mutations affecting HBeAg seroconversion. Conclusion: Our research elucidates the evolution of HBV by analyzing QS heterogeneity and mutation patterns, offering novel serum biomarkers for enhancing clinical diagnosis and disease prognosis. This comprehensive approach sheds light on the intricate dynamics of HBV progression and paves the way for more precise medical interventions.

Published in International Journal of Medical Microbiology

ISSN: 1438-4221 (Print); 1618-0607 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Germany
LCC subjects: Science: Microbiology; Medicine: Other systems of medicine
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/international-journal-of-medical-microbiology

About the journal

Abstract

Keywords