IL28B genetic variations are associated with treatment response of patients with chronic hepatitis C in a Chinese Han population.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the association between interleukin 28B (IL28B) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and sustained virological response (SVR) in Chinese Han patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and to analyze the correlations between IL28B SNPs and their personal, virological and clinical characteristics.

Methods: Altogether 631 Chinese Han individuals, including 297 CHC patients treated with pegylated interferon α plus ribavirin, 14 spontaneous responders to hepatitis C virus (HCV) and 320 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Two main SNPs of IL28B, rs12979860 and rs8099917, were genotyped using an SNaPshot Multiplex Assay.

Distribution of hepatitis C virus genotypes in Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis C: correlation with patients' characteristics and clinical parameters.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the most up-to-date distribution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes in China, especially the association between HCV genotypes and patients' characteristics and clinical parameters.

Methods: Sera from 483 HCV antibody-positive patients were genotyped using a HCV genotyping chip assay. The distribution of HCV genotypes, clinical parameters, modes of transmission and duration of infection were determined and the relationships among these parameters were analyzed.

[Viral factors influencing histological changes of HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients with persistently normal serum ALT levels].

Objective: To investigate the correlation between viral factors and liver histological changes of HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients with persistently normal serum ALT levels (PNAL).

Methods: HBV DNA level, HBV genotype, basal core promoter (BCP) and precore mutation were examined in 52 HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients with PNAL (defined as normal ALT measured on at least 3 occasions in the intervals of about two months over a period of 12 months or more prior to the biopsy).

Results: Subjects with both BCP and precore mutations had significantly higher HBV DNA levels than those without mutations [(4.

Patients with chronic hepatitis B infection display deficiency of plasmacytoid dendritic cells with reduced expression of TLR9.

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a complex interaction between replicating noncytopathic virus and dysregulatory host antiviral immunity. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) contribute to innate antiviral immunity via secreting type I interferons. Toll-like receptor (TLR) 9 is involved in major pattern recognition receptors expressed in pDCs.

[Expression of Toll-like receptor 3 on peripheral blood dendritic cells in HBeAg positive patients with chronic hepatitis B].

Objective: To elucidate the roles of Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) on dendritic cells (DCs) in HBV infection.

Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from 48 healthy volunteers (HV) and 50 chronically HBV-infected patients (CH). DCs were induced and proliferated in a culture medium with rhGM-CSF and rhIL-4.