Exploring the genetic variants with HCC prognostic potential in PS and S genes of HBV among treatment Naïve chronically infected patients in Saudi Arabia.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major health concerns worldwide. In 2014, 240 million persons being chronically infected by HBV worldwide (WHO). HBV accounts for 75% of HCC worldwide. Ten HBV genotypes (A-J) with 34 sub-genotypes are reported. HBV diagnosis is primarily done by detecting HBV surface antigen which is coded by the pre surface (PS) and surface (S) genes. Mutations in PS and S genes may result in immune escape of HBV as most B and T cell epitopes are coded by PS and S genes. Besides mutations in surface proteins may also cause their accumulation inside cell and subsequently developing HCC. The aim of this cross sectional study was to analyze the mutation of prognostic importance for HCC development occurring in PS and S genes of HBV. The methodology included staging of the disease using serologic, biochemical profiles of patients. Sequencing the PS and S gene of HBV DNA extracted from serum, questionnaire analysis and collection of medical history of patient genotyping and variant analysis of sequences were performed. Genotype D was most prevalent in the study group, other genotypes detected were A, B C and E. Majority of the patients in this study were in the immune active phase of CHB, only one case was in the immune tolerant phase 15 patients were immune inactive patients and 7 were HBV associated HCC patients. The comparison of variants in the HCC group with other CLD phase revealed one novel C242A transversion variant