OBJECTIVE: The primary comparative analysis between the host genetic factors and their relationships with clinical phenotype of 20 pairs of HBV infected and high risk twins. METHODS: Zygosity of twins was diagnosed by STR microsatellite polymorphism analysis. To identify the serological model and exclude the evidence of coinfection with other virus, we detected HAV, HBV, HCV, HDV, HEV serological markers by electrochemiluminescence method. HBV DNA level was detected by Lightcycler Fluorescent Quantitative system and Liver function (ALT, AST, TBil) was detected by HITACHI7250 Biochemistry Detection System. The data was analysis by Fisher's exact test to comparatively analyze among the monozygotic twins (MZ), dizygotic twins (DZ) and control groups. RESULTS: The significant difference was found in the concordance rate of disease, concordance of clinical phenotype and serological patterns of HBV infection between the MZ and DZ twins (P < 0.05), it was also found between MZ and control groups (P < 0.05), but not between DZ and control groups (P > 0.05). No significant difference in the concordance of other HBV infection markers was observed (P > 0.05). Concordance of clinical phenotype may be related to patients' age and antivirus therapy. Injection with the HBIg and initiative vaccination right after birth can prevent twins with high risk to infection to be victims. CONCLUSION: The significant difference was found in the concordance rate, concordance of clinical phenotype and serological patterns between MZ and control groups, it was also found between MZ and DZ groups, which is correspond to the opinion of the high concordance of MZ and indicated the host genetic factors may play role in influencing the clinical phenotype, while other factors such as the vaccination may have an effect on the clinical phenotype in some extent.
OBJECTIVE: The primary comparative analysis between the host genetic factors and their relationships with clinical phenotype of 20 pairs of HBV infected and high risk twins. METHODS: Zygosity of twins was diagnosed by STR microsatellite polymorphism analysis. To identify the serological model and exclude the evidence of coinfection with other virus, we detected HAV, HBV, HCV, HDV, HEV serological markers by electrochemiluminescence method. HBV DNA level was detected by Lightcycler Fluorescent Quantitative system and Liver function (ALT, AST, TBil) was detected by HITACHI7250 Biochemistry Detection System. The data was analysis by Fisher's exact test to comparatively analyze among the monozygotic twins (MZ), dizygotic twins (DZ) and control groups. RESULTS: The significant difference was found in the concordance rate of disease, concordance of clinical phenotype and serological patterns of HBV infection between the MZ and DZ twins (P < 0.05), it was also found between MZ and control groups (P < 0.05), but not between DZ and control groups (P > 0.05). No significant difference in the concordance of other HBV infection markers was observed (P > 0.05). Concordance of clinical phenotype may be related to patients' age and antivirus therapy. Injection with the HBIg and initiative vaccination right after birth can prevent twins with high risk to infection to be victims. CONCLUSION: The significant difference was found in the concordance rate, concordance of clinical phenotype and serological patterns between MZ and control groups, it was also found between MZ and DZ groups, which is correspond to the opinion of the high concordance of MZ and indicated the host genetic factors may play role in influencing the clinical phenotype, while other factors such as the vaccination may have an effect on the clinical phenotype in some extent.