Abstract
BACKGROUND: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the promoter region of the interleukin (IL)-10 genes have a role in determining hepatitis B virus (HBV) outcome. OBJECTIVES: This study evaluates the correlation between HBV infection and SNP in IL-10 gene promoter. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ninety-six HBV-infected patients (32 chronic hepatitis B infection patients, 34 healthy carriers, 30 spontaneously recovered cases) and 31 healthy controls were enrolled. Three biallelic (-819,-592,-1082) regions in the IL-10 gene promoter were sequenced for all patients. RESULTS: Genotypes and haplotypes of IL-10 gene promoter region at position -1082, -819 and -592 were not significantly different among controls, HBV recovered cases, carriers and chronic HBV patients. Nevertheless, A/A genotype at position -592 and T/T genotype at position -819 were more frequently seen in the HBV clearance group, while frequency of G/G genotype at position -1082 was more prevalent in the persistence group. GCC/GCC and GCC/ACC haplotypes were significantly observed in anti-HBe positive individuals. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings showed that IL-10 promoter polymorphisms were not correlated with HBV infection prognosis. Nevertheless, individuals carrying high and intermediate producer of IL-10 haplotypes had a better ability to develop anti-HBe than low producer carriers.