Molecular evolution and phylodynamics of hepatitis B virus infection circulating in Iran.

Previous local and national Iranian publications indicate that all Iranian hepatitis B virus (HBV) strains belong to HBV genotype D. The aim of this study was to analyze the evolutionary history of HBV infection in Iran for the first time, based on an intensive phylodynamic study. The evolutionary parameters, time to most recent common ancestor (tMRCA), and the population dynamics of infections were investigated using the Bayesian Monte Carlo Markov chain (BMCMC).

HBsAg mutations related to occult hepatitis B virus infection in HIV-positive patients result in a reduced secretion and conformational changes of HBsAg.

Background: Occult hepatitis B infection (OBI) is a frequent finding in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. While several related mutations in the hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome have been reported, their distinct impact on HBsAg synthesis is largely obscure.

Methods: Thirty-one (18%) out of 172 HIV-infected patients, who were selected from HBsAg-negative patients, were positive for HBV-DNA assigned as being OBI-positive.

Identification of occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and viral antigens in healthcare workers who presented low to moderate levels of anti-HBs after HBV vaccination.

Background: Worldwide, healthcare workers (HCWs) show different levels of response to hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine. One of the factors associated with vaccine unresponsiveness may be the existence of current or past HBV infection. Regardless of the presence of HBsAg (overt infection), occult HBV infection (OBI, defined as presence of HBV DNA in the absence of HBsAg) might also account for some non- or hypo-response cases.

Evolution of hepatitis B virus surface gene and protein among Iranian chronic carriers from different provinces.

Background And Objectives: Iranian chronic HBV carrier's population has shown a unique pattern of genotype D distribution all around the country. The aim of this study was to explore more details of evolutionary history of carriers based on structural surface proteins from different provinces.

Materials And Methods: Sera obtained from 360 isolates from 12 Different regions of country were used for amplification and sequencing of surface proteins.