Molecular genetic diversity of hepatitis B virus in Kenya.
Eight genotypes of hepatitis B virus (A-H) and subgenotypes have been recognized worldwide. However, there is limited information on prevalent genotypes in many countries in Africa. This study was undertaken to determine the hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes in Kenya. Seropositive HBV blood samples from a blood donor setting were used in the study. HBV genotypes were determined in 52 nucleic acid-positive samples using specific primer in a nested PCR and sequencing employed in the HBV genotyping. This study shows presence of HBV variants with genotypes A (88%), E (8%) and D (4%). In conclusion, we found that HBV genotype A is the most predominant genotype in Kenya with both subgenotype A1 and A2 present. Genotype D and E are also present in our population. This demonstrates that there could be a high genetic diversity of HBV in Kenya.
Mwangi
Joseph
J
Centre for Virus Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya. jmwangi@kemri.org
Nganga
Zipporah
Z
Songok
Elijah
E
Kinyua
Joyceline
J
Lagat
Nancy
N
Muriuki
Joseph
J
Lihana
Raphael
R
Khamadi
Samoel
S
Osman
Saida
S
Lwembe
Raphael
R
Kiptoo
Michael
M
Mwau
Matilu
M
Chirchir
Ruth
R
Mpoke
Solomon
S
Nyamongo
Jack
J
Okoth
Fred
F
Yamada
Rika
R
Kageyama
Seiji
S
Ichimura
Hiroshi
H
D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000821:virology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny
D004279:DNA, Viral; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens