title: Epidemiology of HBV subgenotypes D.
abstract: The natural history of hepatitis B virus infection is not uniform and affected from several factors including, HBV genotype. Genotype D is a widely distributed genotype. Among genotype D, several subgenotypes differentiate epidemiologically and probably clinically. D1 is predominant in Middle East and North Africa, and characterized by early HBeAg seroconversion and low viral load. D2 is seen in Albania, Turkey, Brazil, western India, Lebanon, and Serbia. D3 was reported from Serbia, western India, and Indonesia. It is a predominant subgenotype in injection drug use-related acute HBV infections in Europe and Canada. D4 is relatively rare and reported from Haiti, Russia and Baltic region, Brazil, Kenya, Morocco and Rwanda. Subgenotype D5 seems to be common in Eastern India. D6 has been reported as a rare subgenotype from Indonesia, Kenya, Russia and Baltic region. D7 is the main genotype in Morocco and Tunisia. D8 and D9 are recently described subgenotypes and reported from Niger and India, respectively. Subgenotypes of genotype D may have clinical and/or viral differences. More subgenotype studies are required to conclude on subgenotype and its clinical/viral characteristics.
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases Department, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University, 34098 Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey. Electronic address: rozaras@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Resat
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ozaras
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases Department, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University, 34098 Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ilker
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Inanc Balkan
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases Department, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University, 34098 Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mucahit
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yemisen
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases Department, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University, 34098 Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Fehmi
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tabak
mesh_terms: D005838:Genotype; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans