Characteristics of general distribution of hepatitis B virus genotypes in China.
BACKGROUND
Based on differences in the virus nucleotide sequence, hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes are presently divided into genotypes A-H. The geographic distributions of HBV genotypes differ in countries and regions. To determine the general characteristics of their distributions in the mainland of China, we reviewed articles on HBV genotypes published in China.


METHODS
The Wanfang Database and the CNKI Database were searched for original articles involving HBV in China, and then the data from the articles were classified according to genotype and latitude and analyzed using SPSS 11.0.


RESULTS
The main HBV genotypes were C, B and BC, and their rates were 50.99%, 35.58%, 6.07%, respectively; other genotypes were rare. There was a negative correlation between latitude and the rate of genotype B (r=-0.782, P<0.01), while a positive correlation existed between latitude and the rate of genotype C (r=0.646, P<0.01). No correlation was observed between latitude and the rates of other genotypes (r=0.294, P>0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
In China, HBV genotype C predominates, followed by genotype C and mixed genotype BC; genotypes A, D and others are rare. With an increasing latitude, the distribution of genotype B decreases gradually, while that of genotype C tends to increase. The other genotypes do not show any changes.
Zhu
Chang-Tai
CT
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Changzhou Cancer Hospital, Suzhou University, Changzhou 213001, China. zct101@163.com
Dong
Chun-Lei
CL
D044466:Asian People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005838:Genotype; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000208:ethnology*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D012111:Residence Characteristics