[Characterization of hepatitis B virus strains from the Central African Republic: preliminary results].
OBJECTIVE
Genotyping of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) strains from patients in Central African Republic and comparison with results obtained in other African countries.


METHODS
Sera were collected from patients admitted with symptoms of acute or chronic hepatitis to the "Hôpital de l'Amitié de Bangui", Central African Republic (CAR). The complete sequence of preS2/S gene has been defined for determining genotypes.


RESULTS
Hundred and ninety-six sera were collected from 112 men and 84 women. Ninety-two percent of patients had contact with HBV (anti-HBc postitive) and the HBsAg prevalence was about 62%. HBV DNA was detected in 66% of HBsAg positive sera. No HBV-DNA was evidenced among patients with negative HBsAg. Ninety-three percent of the HBV strains belonged to genotype E; one (3.4%) belonged to genotype A1, and one (3.4%) belonged to genotype D.


CONCLUSIONS
The high prevalence of HBV infection in the studied population is due to their recruitment. The genotype E is predominant in CAR and the intragroup variability of HBV genotype E reached only 1.8%. Genotypes A and D were less common in CAR their presence may be explained by importation.
Bekondi
C
C
Laboratoire des hépatites virales, institut Pasteur de Bangui, rue Pasteur, B.P. 923, Bangui, République centrafricaine.
Olinger
C M
CM
Boua
N
N
Talarmin
A
A
Venard
V
V
Muller
C P
CP
Le Faou
A
A
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002488:Central African Republic / Q000453:epidemiology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013045:Species Specificity
D004279:DNA, Viral; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens