Are fas ligand polymorphisms associated with occult HBV infection?

Abstract

Background: Occult hepatitis B infection (OBI) is a form of hepatitis in which there is an absence of detectable HBsAg, despite the presence of HBV-DNA in the peripheral blood of patients. The main aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between polymorphisms in the -844 and IVS2nt-124 regions of the Fas ligand (FasL) gene with OBI. Materials and Methods: The plasma samples from 3700 blood donors were tested for HBsAg and anti-HBs by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The HBsAg-/anti-HBc + samples were selected and screened for HBV-DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). HBV-DNA positive samples were assigned as OBI cases, and PCR-RFLP techniques were performed to examine the polymorphisms. Results: Of 3700 blood samples, 352 (9.5%) were HBsAg-/anti-HBc+, and HBV-DNA was detected in 57/352 (16.1%) of HBsAg-/anti-HBc+ samples and designated as OBI patients. Our results showed the patient and control groups had no significant differences regarding the studied polymorphisms. Conclusion: Based on our results, it can be concluded that the functional polymorphisms in the promoter region of the FasL gene are not associated with OBI.