title: Molecular analysis of Hepatitis B virus sub-genotypes and incidence of preS1/preS2 region mutations in HBV-infected Egyptian patients from Mansoura.
abstract: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the major causes of viral hepatitis worldwide. Despite the prevalence of HBV infection in Egypt, few studies have focused on sub-genotyping of the virus. Moreover, no studies are available regarding the mutational analysis of the preS1/preS2 region of the viral genome, or its impact on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development in Egypt. In this study, we have analyzed the sub-genotypes and incidence of mutations in the preS1/preS2 region of HBV present in HBV-infected patients, from Mansoura city (located in the center of Nile Delta region of Egypt), via partial sequencing of this specific region. Moreover, we have investigated the impact of these mutations on HCC development by measuring serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP) level and abdominal ultrasound examination of the HBV-infected patients. According to our results, all samples were genotype D in which sub-genotype D1 was predominant. In addition, the results revealed mutations in the preS1/preS2 region, which could result in either immature preS1 protein or completely inhibit the translation of the preS2 protein. However, there was no incidence of HCC development in patients infected with mutated HBV in the preS1/preS2 region. In summary, for the first time our work has proved the predominance of sub-genotype D1 among HBV-infected Egyptian patients in Mansoura city, Nile Delta region, Egypt, and incidence of mutations in the preS1/preS2 region of HBV genome. This current study opens up research opportunities to discuss the impact of HBV mutations on the development of HCC in Egypt.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.
authors.forename: Mohammed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: El-Mowafy
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.
authors.forename: Abdelaziz
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-6790-5849
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Elgaml
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Biochemistry, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: El-Mesery
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Department of Tropical Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Elegezy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D004534:Egypt / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D050505:Mutant Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: C097353:AFP protein, human; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D050505:Mutant Proteins; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins
keywords: Egypt; HBV; mutation; preS1/preS2 region; sub-genotyping