A Case of S-Variant Hepatitis B Virus: An Immune System Escape Artist

Genomic variants of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) preS/S protein are well-known to occur. Typically, immunity is gained through recovered HBV infection or by immunization. Very rarely, there are certain mutations that may enable HBV escape from the immune detection. PreS/S mutants may present with unpredictable pathobiologic, clinical, and transmittable implications. Standard laboratory testing for genomic HBV variants is not routinely performed...