Study on Chronic Asymptomatic HBV Infection and its Relation to Pre-Core Gene Mutation

Objective To study the pre-core gene G to A mutation at nucleotide 1896 and inflammation activity and fibrosis grading of hepatic tissue in chronic asymptomatic HBV infection.Methods The inflammation activity and fibrosis grading of hepatic tissue were done by HE stain,Gorden-Sweet method and GV stain.The HBV pre-core gene G to A mutation at nucleotide 1896 was detected by PCR-RFLP.Results Among 25 chronic asymptomatic HBV infections;there were pathological changes same as those in patients with chronic hepatitis in all but 3(12%);3 of them there were significant fibrosis around portal tracts and forming fibrotic coats;the inflammation activity and fibrosis grading of hepatic tissue were progressive while the clinical manifestation being progressive though the inflammation activity and fibrosis grading of hepatic tissue were lower than those in 24 patients with chronic hepatitis.There was HBVPre-core gene G to A mutation in both chronic asymptomatic HBV infection and chronic hepatitis.The mutant rates were 8% and 16.7% in chronic asymptomatic HBV infection and chronic hepatitis respectively.Conclusion In which there was pathological changes the chronic asymptomatic infection,which is same as those in chronic hepatitis diagnosed as chronic hepatitis.The inflammation activity and fibrosis grading of hepatic tissue were lower in chronic asymptomatic infection than in those patients with chronic hepatitis.There is no relation between HBV pre-core gene G to A mutation at nucleotide 1896 and clinical outcome.