Revision of interpretation criteria of the INNO-LiPA HBV genotyping assay.

摘要

We read with great interest the recent article published by Mercier et al. (4) on the overestimation of mixed infections as a result of erroneous genotype H detection by use of the new version of the INNO-LiPA HBV genotyping assay. In this study, the INNO-LiPA assay identified 28 mixed infections in a population of 200 HBsAg- and anti-HBcAg-hepatitis B virus (HBV)-DNA-positive French blood donors. Nine of the 28 mixed infections included genotype H as part of a double or triple infection. Sequencing after molecular cloning did not confirm the presence of genotype H in these samples; therefore, the authors concluded that the high proportion of genotype H infection observed with INNO-LiPA is erroneous and contributes to an overestimation of mixed infections. As already stated by the authors, current available data indicate that genotype H is restricted to South and Central America (1) and that very few coinfections with genotype H are described in the available literature. Sanchez et al. reported a G/H coinfection in 6 out of 25 HBV-positive Mexican men who have sex with men (MSM) (5).