title: [Distribution of hepatitis B virus genotypes in Hubei province and its clinical significance].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the distribution of hepatitis B virus genotype in Hubei province (China) and its clinical significance.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum samples from 190 HBV DNA positive patients with chronic HBV infection,including 52 asymptomatic HBV carriers (ASC), 56 chronic hepatitis (CH), 32 fulminant hepatic failure (FHF), 22 liver cirrhosis (LC), and 28 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients were collected and tested for HBV genotypes by type-specific primers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A simple and precise genotyping system based on PCR using type-specific primers was developed for the determination of genotypes of hepatitis B virus (HBV). Of the 190 patients, 140 (73.7%) were genotype B and 42 (22.1%) were genotype C. Genotype B was more prevalent in the FHF and HCC patients than in the ASC patients; the ALT value was significantly higher in genotype B than in genotype C patients. The rate of anti-HBe was significantly higher in genotype B than in genotype C except in the patients of the ASC group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The system we used seems to be a useful tool for the molecular diagnosis of HBV infection and for large-scale surveys. Genotype B, genotype C and BC combination exist in Hubei province, and genotype B is the major genotype in this area especially in FHF and HCC patients.
authors.affiliation: Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
authors.forename: Yan-Chang
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Lei
authors.forename: You-Hua
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Hao
authors.forename: Yong-Jun
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.forename: Zhong-Ji
authors.initials: ZJ
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.forename: Bao-Ju
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: De-Ying
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.forename: Xi-Ping
authors.initials: XP
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Dong-Liang
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000821:virology; D002353:Carrier State / Q000821:virology; D002681:China; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics*; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000821:virology*; D017114:Liver Failure, Acute / Q000821:virology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged