Deep sequencing analysis of quasispecies in the HBV pre-S region and its association with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: The association between the evolution of hepatitis B virus (HBV) quasispecies and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is unknown.

Methods: We used deep sequencing to examine the dynamics of HBV quasispecies and their relationship to HCC development. Thirty-two chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with HCC (HCC group) and 32 matched CHB patients without HCC (controls) were recruited.

Hepatitis B virus full-length genomic mutations and quasispecies in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background And Aim: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) full-length genomic mutations and quasispecies characteristics in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were investigated.

Methods: Hepatitis B virus DNA was extracted from the tumor and non-tumor tissues of 16 HCC patients. Overlapping DNA fragments covering the entire HBV genome were amplified and sequenced.

Evolutionary Changes of Hepatitis B Virus Pre-S Mutations Prior to Development of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background And Aims: Deletions/mutations in the hepatitis B virus (HBV) pre-S region have been associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We aimed to study the evolutionary changes of pre-S mutations prior to HCC development.

Methods: We studied the HBV pre-S sequences at 1 to 10 years preceding diagnosis of HCC in 74 patients with HBV-related HCC (HCC group).

Sequence variations of full-length hepatitis B virus genomes in Chinese patients with HBsAg-negative hepatitis B infection.

Background: The underlying mechanism of HBsAg-negative hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is notoriously difficult to elucidate because of the extremely low DNA levels which define the condition. We used a highly efficient amplification method to overcome this obstacle and achieved our aim which was to identify specific mutations or sequence variations associated with this entity.

Methods: A total of 185 sera and 60 liver biopsies from HBsAg-negative, HBV DNA-positive subjects or known chronic hepatitis B (CHB) subjects with HBsAg seroclearance were amplified by rolling circle amplification followed by full-length HBV genome sequencing.

Effect of hepatitis B virus reverse transcriptase variations on entecavir treatment response.

Background: Entecavir therapy often reduces hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA to an undetectable level, but HBV DNA remain detectable in some patients. We investigated whether baseline HBV reverse transcriptase (rt) polymorphism and quasispecies complexity and diversity were associated with treatment response.

Methods: Pretreatment HBV DNA levels, HBV rt sequence, serology, and quasispecies complexity and diversity from 305 entecavir-treated patients were determined.

Metabolomic analyses of faeces reveals malabsorption in cirrhotic patients.

Background: The study of faeces offers a unique opportunity to observe cooperation between the microbiome and the metabolism of mammalian hosts, an essential element in the study of the human metabolome. In the present study, a global metabolomics approach was used to identify metabolites differentially excreted in the faeces of cirrhotic patients compared to controls.

Methods: Seventeen cirrhotic patients and 24 healthy individuals were recruited.