Difference of hepatitis B virus genotype distribution in two groups of mexican patients with different risk factors. High prevalence of genotype H and G.
BACKGROUND
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) has been classified in eight genotypes, from A to H (HBV/A to HBV/H). HBV genotypes were determined in two groups with different risk factors.


METHODS
Group I consisted of 42 patients with chronic and acute hepatitis and group II with 25 men who have sex with men (MSM). HBV genotypes were determined by DNA sequencing of the S-gene.


RESULTS
Both groups differed with respect to genotype distribution (p < 0.001). In group I, there were 31 (74%), 9 (21%) and 2 patients (5%) with HBV/H, HBV/D and HBV/A; respectively. In group II, HBV/H, HBV/A, and HBV/G were found in 13 (52%), 8 (32%) and 4 (16%) cases, respectively. By using an HBV/G-specific PCR, 3 more cases of HBV/G were identified in group II, rising to a total 28%. All HBV/G strains were present in coinfection with other HBV genotypes, 86% with HBV/H, and 14% with HBV/A.


CONCLUSIONS
HBV/H predominated in both groups. A high frequency of HBV/G was found in MSM, which was always coinfected with HBV/H or HBV/A. Significant differences in HBV genotype distribution were also found, since HBV/D was present only in patients with liver disease, whereas HBV/G was present only in MSM.
Sánchez
L V
LV
Department of Molecular Biology in Medicine, Civil Hospital of Guadalajara, Health Sciences Center, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico.
Tanaka
Y
Y
Maldonado
M
M
Mizokami
M
M
Panduro
A
A
D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012747:Sexual Partners
D004279:DNA, Viral; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens