Several hepatitis B virus (HBV) factors, including viral load, genotype, genome mutations, and cytokine production, have been reported to be associated with different risks of progression of liver disease. The aim of this study was to verify if there is an association among the levels of cytokines (interleukin [IL]-35, IL-6, IL-17A, interferon [IFN]-γ) in the plasma, viral load, and the different genotypes of HBV in patients with acute or chronic hepatitis B. Methods: 49 serum samples, 20 from acute and 29 from chronic cases, were submitted to a real-time and nested-polymerase chain reaction to quantify, detect, and genotype HBV DNA. The cytokines IL-35, IL-6, IL-17A, and IFN-γ were detected by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The median viral load was 3.15 log₁₀ IU DNA/mL and 2.90 log₁₀ IU DNA/mL for acute and chronic patients, respectively. Genotype A, D, E, and F were identified in chronic carriers of HBV infection, while only genotype A and F were identified in individuals with acute infection. IFN-γ (p = 0.024) and IL-17A (p = 0.046) levels were significantly increased in chronic patients and IL-6 and IL-35 were higher in patients with acute infection, however, without statistical difference. IL-17A and IFN-γ can be modulating proinflammatory effects and inducing hepatocellular damage, in chronic patients, and IL-6 and IL-35 may be involved in viral elimination and protection against chronicity during the acute phase of infection. These results can contribute to understanding of the complex regulatory mechanisms of the host antiviral response related to cytokine production during acute and chronic HBV infection.

中文翻译：

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急性和慢性乙型肝炎中的细胞因子、基因型和病毒载量

据报道，包括病毒载量、基因型、基因组突变和细胞因子产生在内的几种乙型肝炎病毒 (HBV) 因素与肝病进展的不同风险有关。本研究的目的是验证血浆中细胞因子（白介素 [IL]-35、IL-6、IL-17A、干扰素 [IFN] -γ）水平、病毒载量和急性或慢性乙型肝炎患者不同基因型的HBV。 方法：49份血清样本，急性病例20份，慢性病例29份，进行实时巢式聚合酶链反应以定量、检测和基因分型HBV DNA . 通过酶联免疫吸附试验 (ELISA) 检测细胞因子 IL-35、IL-6、IL-17A 和 IFN- γ。病毒载量中位数为 3.15 log急性和慢性患者分别为₁₀ IU DNA/mL 和 2.90 log ₁₀ IU DNA/mL。在慢性HBV感染携带者中发现了基因型A、D、E和F，而在急性感染者中仅发现了基因型A和F。 慢性患者的IFN- γ（p  =0.024）和IL-17A（p =0.046）水平显着升高，急性感染患者的IL-6和IL-35水平升高，但无统计学差异。IL-17A 和 IFN- γ在慢性患者中，IL-6 和 IL-35 可以调节促炎作用并诱导肝细胞损伤，并且在感染的急性期，IL-6 和 IL-35 可能参与病毒清除和防止慢性感染。这些结果有助于理解与急性和慢性 HBV 感染期间细胞因子产生相关的宿主抗病毒反应的复杂调节机制。