Wide variety of genotypes and geographic origins of hepatitis B virus in Belgian children.
BACKGROUND
Belgium is a country with low endemicity for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Few data are available on genotypes or serotypes of HBV among infected children.


METHODS
The S region of the hepatitis B virus genome was amplified and sequenced in 23 children treated with interferon-alpha in Belgium. Nucleotide sequences were aligned and compared with other known sequences in a phylogenetic analysis.


RESULTS
A high stability of the S gene was observed during treatment. Four genotypes were represented in this sample of Belgian patients (A, B, D, and E), reflecting the geographic diversity of origins.


CONCLUSIONS
In this series, the wide variety of geographic origins is confirmed by the molecular characteristics of HBV. In Belgium, HBV infection of children is currently essentially an imported infection.
Liu
H F
HF
Unit of Virology, Cliniques Universitaires St Luc Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
Sokal
E
E
Goubau
P
P
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001483:Base Sequence; D001530:Belgium; D002648:Child; D005838:Genotype; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D012703:Serotyping
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins