The impact of the CB2-63 polymorphism on the histological presentation of chronic hepatitis B

The impact of the cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) rs35761398 polymorphism on chronic hepatitis B (CHB) was evaluated in 106 consecutive biopsy-proven CHB patients naive for antiviral therapy. A histological activity index (HAI) > 8 (Ishak scoring) was more frequent in patients with CB2-63 RR than in those with CB2-63 QR or QQ (37% vs. 16.7%, p < 0.05). The logistic regression analysis identified CB2-63 RR (p < 0.05) and a fibrosis score > 3 (p < 0.005) as independently associated with an HAI > 8. The observation that the CB2-63 RR variant is an independent predictor of extensive necroinflammation opens up new prospects in the study of CHB. (C) 2015 Clinical Microbiology and Infection published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases.