Distribution of hepatitis B virus genotypes in patients with chronic hepatitis B in Turkey

摘要

AIM: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) strains isolated worldwide has been classified into eight genomic groups deduced from genome comparisons and designated as genotypes A to H. We aimed to investigate prevalence of HBV genotypes and subtypes in Turkey.METHODS: A total of 88 chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients from 15 hospitals throughout the country were included.Patients who were HBsAg positive in serum at least for 6 mo, who had HBV-DNA in serum and elevation of ALT levels more than two times upper limit of normal, and who had percutaneous liver biopsy within 6 mo were included. Genotyping of HBV was done by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). The patients received subcutaneous 9 MU interferon-α 2a thrice a week for a period of 6 mo.RESULTS: Genotype D was detected in 78 of 88 (88.7%)patients, however, genotyping failed in two patients (2.3%),while no product was obtained in eight (9.0%) patients.Regarding subtypes, D2 was more prevalent (67 patients between 78% and 85.9%) followed by subtype D2+deletion (seven patients of 78 or 8.9%), subtype D1 (three patients of 78% or 3.9%) and subtype D3 (one patient of 78% or 1.3%). Thirty-three patients (37.5%) were HBeAg positive compared to 55 (62.5%) anti-HBe positive patients. The endpoint for the viral response of HBeAg positive patients was 27.2%, while it was found 52.7% in HBeAg negative patients (P＜0.05). Long-term persistent viral response was 29.5% for all patients.CONCLUSION: This multi-center study indicates that the predominant genotype with CHB patients in Turkey like in other Mediterranean countries is genotype D.