Role of host immunity and HBx among inactive chronic hepatitis B patients in a highly endemic region.

The hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has a wide range, from fulminant hepatitis to inactive chronic hepatitis B (ICB) infection. The present study evaluated critical factors in the outcomes of HBV infection in a highly endemic region of Iran (approximately 12% HBV positive). The expression of seven genes involved in host immunity (Foxp3, T-bet, ROR-γt, AKT, CREB, IL-28/or IFN-λ2, and IL-28R) and HBx for viral activities were evaluated using real-time PCR, TaqMan method.