Prevalence of HBV-genotypes in immigrants affected by HBV-related chronic active hepatitis.
BACKGROUND
The genetic heterogeneity of the HBV genome has been established and eight genotypes can be classified according to the criterion of >8% differences in the complete nucleotide sequence of the viral genome.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the prevalence of HBV-infection in a population of immigrants and to determine in patients with detectable serum HBV-DNA the HBV-genotypes.


METHODS
Between January 2005 and December 2005 a total of 556 immigrants were tested for HBsAg. In HBsAg positive patients the biochemical and virological activity of infection and the possible presence of co-infections (HCV, HDV, HIV) were evaluated. In patients with detectable serum HBV DNA, the HBV-genotype was determined by INNOLiPA.


RESULTS
Among the 556 subjects tested, 60 (10.7%) resulted HBsAg positive. All were men, and 42 (70%) come from Africa, 10 (16.6%) from Asia and 9 (14.4%) from East-Europe. 28/60 (46.6%) patients presented normal ALT levels (<40 IU/L) and undetectable serum HBV DNA (<100 copies/mL in real-time PCR), while 32 (53.4%) patients had ALT levels above laboratory normal values and detectable serum HBV DNA. Genotype distribution was as follow: genotype E, 16 (50%), genotype D, 9 (28.1%), genotype A, 7 (21.9%).


CONCLUSIONS
Our study evidences a moderate prevalence of HBV-infection in immigrants, particularly in sub-Saharan African people, and the potentiality of migratory flow in the introduction of genotype non-D hepatitis B virus, potentially characterized by a different natural history and, possibly, a different response to antiviral treatment.
Palumbo
Emilio
E
Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University of Foggia, Italy. emipalu2003@yahoo.it
Scotto
Gaetano
G
Faleo
Giuseppina
G
Cibelli
Donatella Concetta
DC
Saracino
Annalisa
A
Angarano
Gioacchino
G
D000328:Adult; D000349:Africa / Q000208:ethnology; D001208:Asia / Q000208:ethnology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D005061:Europe, Eastern / Q000208:ethnology; D005838:Genotype; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics*; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015995:Prevalence
D004279:DNA, Viral