Lack of association between Interleukin-12 gene polymorphism (rs568408 G/A) and susceptibility to chronic hepatitis B virus infection

Abstract

Introduction: Hepatitis B is a potentially life-threatening infection that causes acute infection and chronic hepatitis with progression to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Interleukin-12 (IL12) is responsible for activation of Th1 immune responses, leading to possible clearance of HBV infection from the host’s body. The host’s immune-genetic background plays an important role in the pathogenesis of infectious diseases. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of interleukin 12A single nucleotide polymorphism (rs568408 G/A) with chronic HBV infection.