RESUMEN
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes have distinct geographic distributions. The possibility of pathogenic differences among HBV genotypes has been suggested. We investigated the prevalence of HBV genotypes in Korea and the association between distinct genotypes and clinical outcomes. METHODS: Using a PCR-RFLP and sequencing, HBV genotypes were determined in 136 patients with chronic type B hepatitis. RESULTS: The genotype C was detected in 131 patients (96.3%), and other 5 patients (3.7%) had genotype B. There were no significant differences in sex, age, disease duration, ALT level, HBeAg/anti-HBe status, or HBeAg loss between genotype B and C patients. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that almost all patients with chronic hepatitis B are infected with genotype C. Genotypes do not influence the outcome of chronic hepatitis B patients in Korea.