Aim of the Study
35
2. AIM OF THE STUDY
Several reports show as during the natural history of chronic HBV infection there is a highly dynamic evolution of the viral quasispecies with a progressive selection of variants for the regions codifying for viral antigen under immune pressure, like pre-core/core and pres/s domains. Any change in the ratio among pre-S1, pre-S2 and S proteins could interfere with HBsAg secretion and influence HBsAg serum levels.
Aim of our study was to characterize the pre-s/s circulating viral quasispecies in our HBV carriers and to correlate its heterogeneity with HBsAg serum levels according to the different virological and clinical profiles.