In this project proposal, the investigators will investigate the genetic alterations of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) strains circulating in Belgian patients who developed end stage liver disease. Additionally, the investigators will compare and link these data sets with three genetic factors involved in immune system response.
This project proposes to identify and characterize the genetic alterations associated with intra-host evolution of HBV from a chronically infection status to an end-stage liver disease status.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
274
University Hospitals Leuven campus Gasthuisberg
Leuven, Flemish Brabant, Belgium
genetic variants of Hepatitis B
Virus variants will be identified by amino acid or nucleotide variations (insertions or deletions) in different Open Readind Frames (ORFs) of the HBV genome by using next-generation sequencing. Comparison of virus variants within one patient Comparison of virus variants between patients with end stage liver disease and patients with a chronic Hepatitis B infection. Determination of the viral load by quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).
Time frame: 6 months
genetic variation in host-specific immune markers
Amplification of HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-C class I and HLA class II using PCR methods and next-generation sequencing Amplification of KIR genes: 2DS1, 2DS2, 2DS3, 2DS4, 2DS5, 3DS1 and 1D, 2DL1 2DL2, 2DL3, 2DL5 and 3DL1 using PCR methods and next-generation sequencing Amplification of SNPs in TNF alfa, TGF beta1 and IFN-R using PCR methods and next-generation sequencing
Time frame: at day of enrollment
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