[Application of multiplex PCR in genotyping of hepatitis B virus prevailing in Guangdong Province of China].
OBJECTIVE
To establish a convenient method for the genotyping of hepatitis B virus (HBV) using multiplex PCR.


METHODS
Based on the alignment of 114 complete nucleotide sequences of HBV DNA belonging to different genotypes, acquired from the GenBank, genotype-specific sequences were identified according to which 6 pairs of primers were designed corresponding to each genotype. Subsequent genotyping of HBV was performed using these primers that were added, either alone or in conjunction with others, into a multiplex PCR reaction tube, and HBV genotype was determined according to the length of amplified DNA.


RESULTS
The genotyping result of multiplex PCR was consistent with that produced by PCR- restriction fragment length polymorphism as established by Lindh. We found in this study that among the HBV carriers in the vicinities Guangzhou of City, about 45% belonged to B genotype, 38.75% to C genotype and 16.75% to D genotype.


CONCLUSIONS
This multiplex PCR method is simple, convenient and more differential.
Yang
Jie
J
Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, First Military Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China. yangjie@fimmu.edu.cn
Dai
Lin
L
Guo
Ya-Bing
YB
Yang
Shou-Chang
SC
Wang
Yan-Jun
YJ
Luo
Kang-Xian
KX
D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005838:Genotype; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
D004279:DNA, Viral