[Distribution of hepatitis B virus genotypes according to the clinical outcomes in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection in Jeju island].
OBJECTIVE
The genotype of hepatitis B virus (HBV) has been suggested to correlate with the clinical outcome of HBV infection. We analyzed the distribution of HBV genotypes according to the clinical outcomes of HBV infection in Jeju island.


METHODS
A total of 145 HBsAg-positive samples were enrolled. To identify specific patterns of HBV genotypes, we performed restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). In the case that typical restriction pattern of RFLP was not determined, phylogenetic analysis was performed.


RESULTS
RFLP analysis was possible in 65 patients. Clinical diagnoses of the 65 patients with chronic liver disease were as follows: HBeAg-positive healthy carrier (HBeAg(+), anti-HBe, HBV DNA(+), transaminase normal; n=20); Inactive HBsAg carrier (n=12); chronic hepatitis B (n=14); liver cirrhosis (n=9); hepatocellular carcinoma (n=10). Sixty-two patients showed a typical restriction pattern by HinfI. However, 3 patients showed a unique restriction pattern by HinfI, which were not reported in the literature. When phylogenetic analysis was performed to classify the genotype of these 3 patients, they were also genotype C. However, all 65 patients showed typical restriction patterns by Tsp509I, which were reported in genotype C.


CONCLUSIONS
All chronic HBV infections are genotype C in Jeju island regardless of clinical outcomes.
Kim
Bum-Joon
BJ
Department of Internal Medicine, Cheju National University College of Medicine, Jeju, Korea.
Song
Byung-Cheol
BC
D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000821:virology; D002353:Carrier State / Q000821:virology; D005838:Genotype; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics*; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000821:virology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000821:virology; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length