title: A multiplex-PCR to identify hepatitis B virus--enotypes A-F.
abstract: Eight genotypes (A-H) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) are known with variations in nucleotide sequences greater than 8%. Several recent publications found that the clinical course and outcome of antiviral therapy depended on the genotype of the infecting HBV strain. Large epidemiological studies will require the availability of a system which is rapid, reliable and can be performed on a large number of samples. We have developed a multiplex-PCR assay which uses genotype-specific primer pairs for HBV genotypes A-F. These primer pairs specifically amplified HBV DNA of the respective genotype, either in single or in multiplex-PCR. Sensitivity of the assay was in the range of 10(4) genome equivalents.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Medizinische Virologie, Justus-Liebig-Universität, Giessen, Germany
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kirschberg
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schüttler
authors.forename: Reinald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Repp
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schaefer
mesh_terms: D017931:DNA Primers; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005838:Genotype; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D004279:DNA, Viral