Abstract
Aim: Cytokine profile in occult HBV infection (OBI) was systematically investigated to identify the immunopathogenesis of OBI. Materials & methods: A total of 46 OBI, ten asymptomatic hepatitis B surface antigen carriers, ten chronic hepatitis B and 12 healthy blood donors were recruited. A total of 21 plasma cytokines were detected. Results: Compared with healthy blood donors, elevated plasma Th1, Th2, Th17 and immune regulatory associated cytokines were observed in OBI. Almost no significant difference was found for these cytokines among OBI, asymptomatic hepatitis B surface antigen carriers and chronic hepatitis B. OBI displayed the predominance of type 2 and regulatory immunity. Conclusion: OBI displayed the general cytokine profile of chronic HBV infection, which might contribute to virus persistence and the presence of the liver microinflammatory environment. The clinical implications of OBI deserve more attention.
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