ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) was classified into 8 genotypes by a sequence divergence in the entire genome designated from A to H. HBV genotypes have distinct geographic distributions. Recently, HBV genotypes have been partially found as influencing the clinical manifestation of chronic liver disease in hosts. In Korea, the distribution of HBV genotypes remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of the HBV genotype on Jeju Island. METHODS: Hepatitis B virus genotypes were evaluated among 107 hepatitis B carriers residing on Jeju Island. We used single PCR and multiplex-PCR assay with genotype-specific primer pairs for HBV genotypes A-F for the genotyping. RESULTS: 1. Fifty nine samples (55%) were positive for HBV DNA. The positivity was different according to the pattern of HBeAg/ anti-HBe expression, as -/-; 2/3 (66.7%), -/+; 30/73 (30%), +/-; 24/28 (85.7%) and +/+; 3/3 (100%). 2. In the single primer set of genotype-specific PCR, 59 samples (100%) were detected as genotype C and 2 (3%) were also detected as genotype A and B. 3. In multiplex-PCR, 58 samples (98%) were detected as genotype C and only one (2%) as a mixed pattern of genotype B and C. 4. When the PCR products were amplified with universal sense and genotype specific anti-sense from one genotype A, one B, and 2 C, all were included in genotype C. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that on Jeju Island, almost all HBV genotypes are C.