Distribution of hepatitis B virus genotypes and its clinical significance / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the distribution of hepatitis B virus genotypes in Handan area and clarify the genotype-related difference in clinic.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Polymerase chain reaction-restricted fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used to detect the HBV genotypes in 108 HBV-infected patients from Handan area. The clinical significance of HBV genotype was analyzed in combination with the values of HBV DNA and ALT.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among the 108 HBV-infected patients, the proportion of genotype B and C was 6.5 percent and 93.5 percent, respectively. Genotype distribution showed no significant difference between male and female patients. ALT and AST levels were higher in genotype C group than those in genotype B group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>HBV genotype C is predominant in chronic hepatitis B patients in Handan area. The positive rates of HBeAg and HBV DNA levels were higher in genotype C group than those in genotype B group. Genotype C was associated with the development of severe liver disease as compared to genotype B.</p>