Research in Medicine

Background : Finding an association between HFE mutations and hepatitis C especially in those with iron overload is the focus of recent researches. We examined the frequency of these mutations and ferritin level in a group of patients with different stages of hepatitis B and healthy individuals.

 Materials and methods : A total of 75 (18 carrier, 57 chronic) cases of HBsAg positive patients and 194 healthy individuals were enrolled. C282Y and H63D mutations were sought in all subjects by digestion of PCR products with Rsa I and Ksp22I restriction endonucleases.

Results : Ten (13.3%) of cases and 31(16%) of controls were heterozygote for H63D that showed no significant statistical differences (NS). For C282Y mutation, we found 3(4%) heterozygote patients but none in the control group (p<0.021). The frequency of C282Y heterozygosity was 5.2% in chronic group while there was no similar case in carrier group. Significant statistical differences were also found between chronic and the control group (p<0.005). No statistically significant difference for frequency of HFE mutations was found between carrier and chronic group with each other (NS). Mean level of ferritin in those with the mutation showed no statistically significant difference with that of patients without mutation (NS).

Conclusion : Our data indicate that the frequency of C282Y mutation is significantly higher in seropositive hepatitis B patients than in the healthy individuals and suggest that heterozygotes for C282Y mutation that have exposed to hepatitis B virus may have an increased risk of virus persistence or even chronicity.