Objective: To explore the clinical features and gene mutation profiles of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and Gilbert's syndrome.
Methods: Thirty-three patients with CHB and Gilbert's syndrome were enrolled in the study. Serum markers of liver function and histological features of disease-related liver injury were assessed by standard methods. Gene mutations were detected by PCR and direct DNA sequencing.Statistical analysis was carried out with the chi-square and t tests.
Results: Sequencing of the Gilbert syndrome-associated gene, UGT 1A 1, revealed mutations in the upstream promoter phenobarbital-responsive element module (PBREM) (-3279 mutation, 23 cases), in the promoter TATA box (a TA insertion mutation, 21 cases), and in the coding region of exon 1 (a GGA-AGA Gly71Arg mutation, 18 cases); there was no statistical difference found for any of the three mutations among this patient population (x2 =1.640, P more than 0.05).
Conclusion: The traditional methods of diagnosis for patients with CHB and Gilbert's syndrome remain a technical challenge in the clinic, and gene detection may represent a more favorable method for diagnosing this patient population.