title: Distinguishing hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype D from non-D by a simple PCR.
abstract: Different HBV genotypes have characteristic geographical distribution, which is important epidemiologically. HBV strains have been classified into eight different genotypes (A-H) on the basis of >8% differences in the entire genomic sequence. Genotypes A and D are predominant in Europe, Africa, and the USA, genotypes B and C are restricted to East Asia, genotype E is found in Africa, and genotype F is found in indigenous populations in Central and South America. Genotype D is prevalent in the Turkish population. HBV genotype D shows a 33-bp deletion in the pre-S1 region that accounts for their smaller genomic size (3182 bp). This deletion can be used to facilitate the identification of genotype D. A primer in the pre-S1 region was designed to discriminate genotype D from non-D by PCR. Sixty genotype D (40 acute and 20 chronic) and 4 genotype A sera identified by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) were included in the study. Using this simple PCR method, all genotype D sera were identified correctly and the test was able to detect HBV DNA at 1000 genomes per ml. An advantage of this method is that it can differentiate in a mixture of genotypes (genotype D from non-D) provided that one isn't present below 1 x 10(4) copies/ml. In conclusion this method is rapid (approximately 5h) and it will contribute to the epidemiological study of HBV in high prevalence areas of genotype D. It can also differentiate between genotype D from non-D in cases of co-infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun 55139, Turkey. drcafer@hotmail.com
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Eroglu
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Leblebicioglu
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gunaydin
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Turan
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sunbul
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Esen
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sanic
mesh_terms: D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005838:Genotype; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000821:virology*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral