Plasma cytokine profile in occult HBV-infected blood donors: supplementary materials

Aim: Cytokine profile in occult HBV infection (OBI) was systematically investigated to identify the
immunopathogenesis of OBI. Materials & methods: A total of 46 OBI, ten asymptomatic hepatitis B surface
antigen carriers, ten chronic hepatitis B and 12 healthy blood donors were recruited. A total of 21 plasma
cytokines were detected. Results: Compared with healthy blood donors, elevated plasma Th1, Th2, Th17
and immune regulatory associated cytokines were observed in OBI. Almost no significant difference was
found for these cytokines among OBI, asymptomatic hepatitis B surface antigen carriers and chronic
hepatitis B. OBI displayed the predominance of type 2 and regulatory immunity. Conclusion: OBI displayed
the general cytokine profile of chronic HBV infection, which might contribute to virus persistence and
the presence of the liver microinflammatory environment. The clinical implications of OBI deserve more
attention.