ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate hepatitis B virus mutation rate after the universal immunization in China. Methods DNA sequence analysis of the “a” determinant was performed on sera from 72 viral carrier children after immunoprophylaxis selected through a sampling survery. Results Four mutants were detected, the mutation rate was 5.56%. One strain showed Gly-to-Arg mutation at the 145 codon of surface antigen. Animo acid substitutions at the amino acid 126 and 140 were noted in the other three children. The epidemiological HBV serotype shifted from previous adw infection to more recent adr was also observed. Conclusions These observations indicate that vaccination is probably the cause of mutation, whereas the mutation is low and it will certainly not be a reason for doubting that the vaccination is the method of main choice for preventing hepatitis B infection that still devastates the developing countries.