Hepatitis B Virus Expression and Replication in Ovum and the Influencing Factors

BACKGROUND/AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the factors that influence hepatitis B virus (HBV) expression and replication in the ovum. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization techniques were used to assay the distributions of HBcAg, HBV DNA, and HBV mRNA in ovarian tissues and the ovum in 50 patients with chronic HBV infection. HBeAg and HBV DNA in the serum were also detected. Comparisons of categorical data were performed using McNemar test. RESULTS: The positive rates of HBcAg, HBV DNA, and HBV mRNA in ovum and ovarian tissues of high replication group were significantly higher than low replication group (χ(2) = 15.04, P < 0.05; χ(2) = 12.96, P <0.05; χ(2) = 19.36, P < 0.05; respectively). High positive rates of HBcAg, HBV DNA, and HBV mRNA in ovum and ovarian tissues were found in women with HBeAg-positive than HBeAg-negative (χ(2) = 113.14,P < 0.05; χ(2) = 11.13, P < 0.05; χ(2) = 17.39, P < 0.05; respectively). CONCLUSION: HBV can infect and replicate in the ovary and ovum. Maternal HBeAg status and HBV DNA levels are important influencing factors.