Characterization of hepatitis B virus genotypes in chronically infected patients.
Genomic mutations occurring during reverse transcription of hepatitis B virus (HBV) could explain its genetic diversity and account for 8 genetically distinct genotypes that are geographically distributed quite differently. The main objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus genotypes in patients with chronic hepatitis B and to see if there was a relationship between genotypes and risk factors for transmission based on HBeAg status. A total of 14 serum samples were analyzed using INNO-LIPA HBV genotyping assay. Genotype D was the most prevalent (64.3%) followed by genotype A (28.6%). There was one case of co-infection (D/E genotypes) that was confirmed by PCR sequencing. All patients except one were HBeAg-negative and anti-HBe-positive. The risk factors for HBV transmission were unknown in half of the cases; in the other half, sexual, transfusion, maternal or interfamilial transmission were observed. The results show that genotype D is the most prevalent genotype in our hospital, followed by genotype A. On the other hand, no relationship was found between HBeAg status and genotype.
Departamento de Inmunología, Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina y Odontología, Universidad del País Vasco, Bilbao, Spain. miren.basaras@ehu.es
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors
D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens