Substantial variation in the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-positive patients from South Africa: Reliable detection of HBV by the Elecsys HBsAg II assay

Abstract

Despite substantial variation in HBsAg MHR, the Elecsys HBsAg II Qualitative assay robustly detects HBV infection in this South African cohort.

In silico functional and structural characterization of hepatitis B virus PreS/S-gene in Iranian patients infected with chronic hepatitis B virus genotype D

“…The major antigenic domains of HBV is located in the envelope proteins. In particular, the amino acids 99-170 of the S protein is termed major hydrophilic region (MHR) which contains a critical epitope exposed on the surface antigen of the virus [8]. The occurrence of mutations in MHR N-glycosylation may influence viral characteristics.…”

“…The majority of HBsAg tests use antibodies that target residues located between amino acids 100-160 to detect the existence of the HBsAg. Consequently, mutations occurred in the 'a' determinant domain that localize to this target section can result in the false-negative test outcomes [8]. G145R is a common immune escape mutation that is induced by the vaccine and can lead to HBsAg detection failure by some tests.…”

“…G145R is a common immune escape mutation that is induced by the vaccine and can lead to HBsAg detection failure by some tests. Also, mutations may occur in association with either vaccine-induced immune-escape (P120T, K122R, T126S, Q129H, G130N, M133L, and M133T) or in relation to the patients with occult HBV infection (Y100C, C124R, C124Y, K141E, and D144A) [8,10].…”

Abundance of HPV L1 Intra-Genotype Variants With Capsid Epitopic Modifications Found Within Low- and High-Grade Pap Smears With Potential Implications for Vaccinology

“…For example, hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes are known to vary by ethno-geography. Mutations in the major hydrophilic regions (MHR) of the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBSAg) have resulted in stable, vaccine-escape mutant virions that are infectious and pathogenic (Carman et al, 1990; Gencay et al, 2018). Recently, investigators have used ultra-deep sequencing and clinical immunoassays (monoclonal antibodies) to detect single-nucleotide, vaccine-escape mutations and associated changes in the HBSAg amino acid residues in clinical samples (Gencay et al, 2018).…”

“…Mutations in the major hydrophilic regions (MHR) of the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBSAg) have resulted in stable, vaccine-escape mutant virions that are infectious and pathogenic (Carman et al, 1990; Gencay et al, 2018). Recently, investigators have used ultra-deep sequencing and clinical immunoassays (monoclonal antibodies) to detect single-nucleotide, vaccine-escape mutations and associated changes in the HBSAg amino acid residues in clinical samples (Gencay et al, 2018). Similarly, liquid-based cervical cytology samples may be interrogated by deep sequencing and multiplexed immunoassays, e.g., Luminex xMAP ® (Peters et al, 2013) to survey HPV L1 mutant virions that may escape from innate or vaccine-induced immunity.…”