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Background and Objectives Various mutations can occur in the HBV genome during chronic HBV infection due to errorprone viral replication and stress on the host immune system. This study aimed to determine the mutations in the BCP and preC regions of the hepatitis B virus genome in asymptomatic carriers and its role in the persistence of hepatitis B infection. Materials and Methods In this descriptive study conducted by easy non-probability sampling method in 2017, 40 asymptomatic blood donors positive in terms of HBsAg and confirmatory tests and negative in terms of anti-HCV and anti-HIV tests were included in the study. Anti-HBc, HBe Ag and antiHBe (Total) tests and ALT and AST tests were performed. Nested-PCR reaction was performed on the extracted DNA and the sequences were determined. Data analysis was done using online software https://hbv.geno2pheno.org. Results Out of the 40 examined samples (94.8%), 38 were men and 2 (5.2%) women with an average age of 38.6 ± 8.6. Mutations in (G1764A) and BCP (A1762T) were observed in 10 (50%) and 8 (40%) cases, respectively, and G54T17 mutation was observed in 3 (15%) samples out of 20 HBV positive and HBeAg negative samples. The mutation in the preC region and the nucleotide position A1896 G was found in 12 cases (60%). Conclusions The highest frequency of mutations was observed in G1764A and BCP which can be considered as one of the effective factors in not clearing and removing the virus by the host's immune system and causing chronic hepatitis B infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third major cause of cancer death worldwide. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HBx gene play an important role in the development of HCC by influencing signaling pathways. Since there is no detectable symptom in the early phase of HCC, there is need to find new HCC-specific markers with high sensitivity for early detection and diagnosis of HCC. On the other hand, by the advent and development of bioinformatic sciences, it is now possible to predict miRNAs as biomarkers, and their targets. Therefore, in the present study, based on the results of the bioinformatic software applications with different algorithm, we selected the miRNA targeting HBx and NOTCH1 mRNAs according to higher score, suitable connection with target gene and confirming them in more softwares. Materials and Methods: First, the sequences of NOTCH1 and HBx genes were retrieved from NCBI. Afterwards, several software applications such as TargetScan, mirWalk, miRBase, Miranda, PicTar, miRVir, and DIANA were applied to predict miRNAs. Results: Based on the high scoring by bioinformatics softwares and suitable targeting, miR-34a were selected to target NOTCH1 and miR-6510, miR-5193 and miR-214 were chosen to targetHBX gene. Conclusion: Because of tumor suppression roles of miR-214 and miR-34a, they probably could be used as therapeutic strategy in cancer researches. It is also seems that the miR-5193 could act as a specific marker in Hepatocellular carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the most popular causes of chronic liver diseases through the world. There are approximately 350 million individuals infected with the HBV that 15 to 20 million of them are co-infected with HDV. It is known that co-existent infection with HDV tends to accelerate the progress of chronic HBV infection to chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. As HBV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) have the same transmission routes, co-infected of HBV and HCV may lead to increasing of chronic liver diseases and high mortality rate. The aim of this study is to determine the seroprevalence and the risk factor of HDV and HCV infection with HBV chronic patients. Materials and Methods: This study (descriptive-analytic, type of sectional) is done on 300 patients with chronic hepatitis B referring to hepatitis diseases clinic during 2013-2014 in Birjand. All patients had a document containing demographic information, virus transmission way and the way aware of disease. Then physical examinations were done and laboratory tests and medical sonographies were recorded in documents. The data collected with checklist then entered in SPSS software and analyzed with statistical tests (p<0.05). Results: Mean age for 300 patients was 38.61±11.98 that %54.7 of them were female. There was found no risk factor at %45.3 of patients. Among the chronic hepatitis B patients, 11 individuals (%3.7) were co-infected with hepatitis C, 10 (%3.3) with hepatitis D and 2 (%0. 6) with both hepatitis C and D. %91.7 patients were negative HBeAg and positive HBeAb. There was no significant association between prevalence of HDV and HCV with HBV and age, sex, educational state and job. In risk factors patients co-infected HBV and HCV blood transfusion was significant (/?=0)but in patients co infected HBV and HDV IV addiction and sharing needles were significant(p=0),(p= 0.01 ). Conclusion: Practitioners and all health care managers in our area should be acknowledged about the risks of dual infection with HCV and HDV in HBV-infected patients. Patients co-infected HBV and HCV blood transfusion was significant but in patients co-infected HBV and HDV IV addiction and sharing needles were significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A number of researchers have suggested that the clinical course of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is more severe in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD). However, there is not adequate information about the seroprevalence and risk factors of HAV in the population with chronic hepatitis B or C infection in Isfahan, Iran. Methods: We studied 168 patients with chronic hepatitis B or C between spring 2007 and spring 2009. Patients were stratified based on age, gender, family size, intravenous drug abuse, education, and genotype of hepatitis C. Independent predictors of HAV were identified by logistic regression analysis. Findings: Of 168 patients, 162 persons (96.4%) were HAV seropositive. We found a significant relation between genotypes of hepatitis C and HAV seropositivity (P < 0.001). Other risk factors were not identified as independent predictors. Conclusion: Considering the high seroprevalence of HAV in patients with hepatitis B or hepatitis C, general vaccination against HAV is not necessary. Further studies should be conducted to draw a firm decision on vaccination of seronegative patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]