Common genotypes of hepatitis B virus.
OBJECTIVE
To find out the frequency of common genotypes of hepatitis-B virus (HBV).


METHODS
An analytical study.


METHODS
The present study was carried out at Division of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Diagnostics, Centre for Applied Molecular Biology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan from May 2002 to February 2004.


METHODS
HBV genotypes were determined in 112 HBV DNA positive sera by a simple and precise molecular genotyping system based on PCR using type-specific primers for the determination of genotypes of HBV A through H.


RESULTS
Four genotypes (A, B, C and D) out of total eight reported genotypes so far were identified. Genotypes A, B and C were predominant. HBV genotype C was the most predominant in this collection, appearing in 46 samples (41.07%). However, the genotypes of a total of 5 (4.46%) samples could not be determined with the present genotyping system. Mixed genotypes were seen in 8 (7.14%) HBV isolates. Five of these were infected with genotypes A/D whereas two were with genotypes C/D. One patient was infected with 4 genotypes (A/B/C/D). Genotype A (68%) was predominant in Sindh; genotype C was most predominant in North West Frontier Province (N.W.F.P.) (68.96) whereas genotypes C and B were dominant in Punjab (39.65% and 25.86% respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
All the four common genotypes of HBV found worldwide (A, B, C and D) were isolated. Genotype C is the predominant. Genotypes B and C are predominant in Punjab and N.W.F.P whereas genotype A is predominant in Sindh.
Idrees
Muhammad
M
Division of Infectious Disease and Molecular Diagnostics, National Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of Punjab, Lahore. idrees_khan@lycos.co.uk
Khan
Sanaullah
S
Riazuddin
Sheikh
S
D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005838:Genotype; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000821:virology*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D010154:Pakistan; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015995:Prevalence
D004279:DNA, Viral