Preliminary report of hepatitis B virus genotype prevalence in Iran.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes in Iranian hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers, chronic hepatitis B and cirrhotic patients.


METHODS
A total of 109 HBsAg-positive patients were included in this study. HBV genotypes were determined by using INNO-LiPA methodology which is based on the reverse hybridization principle.


RESULTS
The distribution of patients with different stages of liver disease was as follows: 95(86.4%) chronic hepatitis, 11(10%) liver cirrhosis, and 3(2.7%) inactive carrier. Of the chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis patients, 26.4% were HBeAg-positive while 70% were HBeAg-negative. Genotype D was the only detected type found in all patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Classifying HBV into genotypes has to be cost-effective and clinically relevant. Our study indicates that HBV genotype D prevails in the Mediterranean area, Near and Middle East, and South Asia. Continued efforts for understanding HBV genotype through international co-operation will reveal further virological differences of the genotypes and their clinical relevance.
Alavian
Seyed-Moayed
SM
Department of Internal Medicine, Baqiatollah Medical University, Tehran Hepatitis Center, Iran. manager@iranhepgroup.info
Keyvani
Hossein
H
Rezai
Mahdi
M
Ashayeri
Neda
N
Sadeghi
Homa Mohammad
HM
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005814:Genes, Viral; D005838:Genotype; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization