title: [Distribution of hepatitis B virus genotype in Hunan Province and its clinical significance].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the distribution of hepatitis B virus genotype in Hunan Provine and its clinical significance.
  
  
  METHODS
  HBV genotype was determined by the restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis in 185 PCR positive patients, including 42 asymptomatic HBV carriers (ASC), 38 chronic mild or moderate hepatitis (CH), 80 fulminant hepatic failure (FHF), and 25 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients in Hunan Province.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 185 patients, 136 (73.5%) were genotype B, and 49 (26.5%) were genotype C. There was a statistical significance in the distribution of genotype B between FHF and ASC, and between HCC and ASC (83.7% vs. 57.1%, 76% vs. 57.1%, P < 0.01, respectively). Vertical transmission and HBeAg positivity were higher in genotype C than in genotype B (38.8% vs. 13.2%, 57.1% vs. 30.9%, respectively, P < 0.001). The ALT value was significantly higher in genotype B than in genotype C (P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Genotypes B and C exist in Hunan. Genotypes B is the major genotype in this area and associated with the development of severe liver diseases. Genotype C is associated with vertical transmission.
authors.affiliation: Viral Hepatitis Laboratory, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China.
authors.forename: Ying-xia
authors.initials: YX
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Guo-ling
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: De-ming
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Tan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002353:Carrier State / Q000821:virology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics*; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D017093:Liver Failure / Q000821:virology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length