Rare human immunodeficiency virus 1-infected individuals, termed elite suppressors (ES), maintain plasma virus levels of <50 copies/ml and normal CD4 counts without therapy. The major histocompatibility complex class I allele group human histocompatibility leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B*57 is overrepresented in this population. Mutations in HLA-B*57-restricted epitopes have been observed in ES, but ...

HBV is a member of Hepadnavirus genus. HBV is a DNA virus with a diameter of 42 nm consisting of an outer lipid envelope which contains proteins HBsAg, pre-S1 and pre-S2. HBsAg is a product of ‘s’ gen. The s geneinvolves ‘a’ epitope124. -147. codones and this region is the affecting region for anti-HBs antibody binding. Vaccine /Immunglobulin escape mutations occur at HBV DNA s gene’s ‘a determ...

We examined the full-length hepatitis B virus (HBV) envelope (surface antigen or HBV small surface antigen [HBsAg]) sequences of 12 different liver samples from 10 different hepatoma-containing chronic carriers. Surprisingly, novel and frequent mutations occurred predominantly at amino acids 40 and 47 of HBsAg, in addition to within a known protective B-cell epitope (so-called group a determina...

Hepatitis B chronic carriage remains as a major public health problem. Protein and DNA vaccines are now widely used in therapeutic vaccine candidates. Although, the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) based vaccines have been largely studied, candidates comprising both HBsAg and core (HBcAg) either protein- or DNA-based approaches deserve further immunological characterization. In the present s...

A humanized murine model was developed to study T cell tolerance to the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) that is present in sera of hepatitis B virus chronic carriers. The HBsAg/HLA-A2 double-transgenic mice express a chimeric HLA-A2 MHC class I molecule and a high amount of the HBsAg in the liver that is secreted and present in sera during the animal's lifetime. In these mice, injection of ...

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation is a well-recognized complication in patients who undergo immunosuppressive drug therapy. Although the recommendation of antiviral prophylaxis made by the American Gastroenterological Association in 2015 focuses on the risk stratification of different immunosuppressive drugs, risk factors for HBV reactivation are also worth identifying in clinical practice. ...

BACKGROUND The hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes chronic hepatitis, hepatic cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Surface antigen (HBsAg) detection is a definitive test that can confirm HBV infection, while the presence of antibodies against the core protein (anti-HBc) suggests either a previous or ongoing infection or occult hepatitis B infection (OBI). OBJECTIVES The aim of the present stud...

OBJECTIVE Our purpose was to explore the relationship between hepatitis B virus (HBV) gene heterogeneity and maternal vertical transmission. METHODS HBsAg-positive mothers and their neonates were selected and classified into a vertical infection neonate group (group N), a vertical infection mother group (group M) and a control group (group C). Serum HBsAg and HBeAg were examined. HBV gene fra...

HLA B57 and the closely related HLA B5801 are over-represented among HIV-1 infected long-term nonprogressors (LTNPs). It has been suggested that this association between HLA B57/5801 and asymptomatic survival is a consequence of strong CTL responses against epitopes in the viral Gag protein. Moreover, CTL escape mutations in Gag would coincide with viral attenuation, resulting in low viral load...