Background: The influence of interleukin-10 (IL-10) gene promoter polymorphisms on the mode and sequel of HBeAg seroconversion (a favorable event usually) in patients with chronic Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has not been clarified.
Patients and methods: IL-10 genotyping and haplotype analyses of 340 HBsAg carriers and 100 volunteers with self-limiting HBV infection from southern China, a high prevalent area of HBV were performed according to the single nucleotide polymorphisms in its promoter (-1,082, -819 and -592) using a competitively differentiated PCR.
Results: High-producer genotype (GG at -1,082) or haplotype (GCC) was rarely found in patients from southern China (<1%). Intermediate-producer haplotype (ACC) was closely associated with chronic liver disease (P=0.004); compared with this, low-producer genotype (AA at -592) and haplotype (ATA) were closely associated with asymptomatic carriers (P=0.035 and 0.035). Intermediate-producer genotype (AC at -592) and haplotype (ACC) were closely associated with covert seroconversion of HBeAg (P=0.0086 and 0.0013) and progressive sequel after HBeAg seroconversion (P=0.013 and 0.0008), while, low-producer genotype (AA at -592) and haplotype (ATA) were closely associated with overt seroconversion of HBeAg (P=0.0023 and 0.0061) and silent sequel after HBeAg seroconversion (P=0.0009 and 0.001).
Conclusions: IL-10 gene promoter polymorphisms significantly influence the mode and sequel of HBeAg seroconversion in patients with chronic HBV infection.