应用扩增受阻突变检测系统（ARMS）检测HBV基因型

目的建立扩增受阻突变检测系统（ARMS）检测乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）基因型方法,并对慢性乙型肝炎（CHB）患者HBV基因型进行分析。方法通过对HBV全基因组序列比对分析,设计ARMS特异性引物和探针体系,建立检测HBVB和C基因型方法,对50例临床标本进行检测。结果50例临床样本中,B型的检出率为26％（13例）,C型为74％（37例）,其实验结果与测序结果完全一致。常州及周边地区乙型肝炎病毒C基因型HBV为优势株。C基因型患者A1762T／G1764A突变率为62％,明显高于B型。结论ARMS检测HBV基因型,快速、准确;常州及周边地区HBV基因型主要为B、C型,且C型携带A1762T／G1764A双突变率较高,与较为严重的肝病相关。     

乙型肝炎病毒基本核心启动子及前C区突变与基因型的关系

目的　探讨乙型肝炎病毒 (HBV)基本核心启动子 (BCP)及前C区突变与基因型之间的关系。方法　随机选取 113例慢性HBV感染者外周血 ,采用INNO LiPA法测定BCPT176 2 A176 4双突变及前C区A1896突变 ,测定HBVS基因序列明确基因型。结果　在C基因型感染者中BCPT176 2 A176 4双突变率明显高于B基因型感染者 ,差异有显著性 (34.2 %∶10 % ,χ2 =6 .74 ,P <0 .0 1) ,而前C区A1896突变率在B基因型和C基因型感染者中差异无显著性 (2 .5 %∶4 .1% ,χ2 =0 .0 0 ,P >0 .0 5 )。结论　与B基因型相比 ,C基因型感染者更易发生BCPT176 2 A176 4双突变。     

C基因型乙型肝炎病毒前C区及基本核心启动子突变与疾病进展的相关性研究

目的探讨HBV前C区（PreC）及基本核心启动子（BCP）突变与慢性乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）感染者疾病进展的关系。方法收集88例慢性HBV感染者血清标本，包括36例无症状携带者（其中24例为HBV携带者，12例为HBsAg携带者）、36例慢性乙型肝炎（慢性乙肝）和16例肝硬化患者。所有标本均经型特异性引物PCR法鉴定为HBVC基因型，并用巢氏PCR法扩增HBVPreC和BCP基因片段，用PCR产物直接测序法测序，然后用ClustalW1．8软件进行序列分析。结果在50例HBeAg阳性患者中，无症状携带者、慢性乙肝和肝硬化组的T1762／A1764双突变率和T1846突变率分别为12．5％、42．1％、100％和0％、5．3％、28．6％，差异均有统计学意义（P值分别为0．03和0．02）。在38例HBeAg阴性HBV感染者中，无症状携带者、慢性乙肝和肝硬化组的T1762／A1764双突变率分别为16．7％、58．8％和66．7％，差异无统计学意义（P=0．08）。肝硬化组的C／G1753突变率显著高于无症状携带者及慢性乙肝组（分别为55．6％、8．3％、11．8％，P=0．01），其A1896突变率也高于无症状携带者组（分别为55．6％、8．3％，P=0．01）。结论HBVT1762／A1764双突变与C基因型HBV慢性感染者的疾病进展有关。     

乙型肝炎病毒e系统血清转换中HBV前C、BCP基因检测及临床意义

目的：探讨乙型肝炎患者HBeAg和HBeAb双阳性状态下HBV前C区基因及BCP区基因变异情况,探讨前C区A1896及BCP区T1762与A1764变异与HBe转换的关系。方法：采用时间分辨荧光免疫分析方法定量检测乙肝“二对半”,对HBeAg／HBeAb双阳性标本采用基于膜显色的DNA芯片检测HBV nt1896、nt1762、nt1764位基因。结果：35例HBeAg、HBeAb、HBVDNA阳性的患者均存在nt1762和nt1764的突变,有14例患者出现了nt1896的突变。结论：在乙型肝炎HBe转换过程中均伴有BCP区T1762和A1764的突变,部分存在A1896位点的突变,T1762和A1764的突变早于A1896的突变,A1896的突变主要在e抗体产生过程中或产生以后。     

HBV核心启动子A1762T/G1764A双突变与慢加急性肝衰竭关系的研究

目的 分析HBV BCP A1762T/G1764A双突变与慢加急性肝衰竭（Acute on chronic liver failure,ACLF）之间的相关性.方法 对166名HBV慢性感染后处于疾病不同阶段的患者进行HBV前BCP A1762T/G1764A双突变检测,比较不同患者之间突变率的差异.结果 慢性肝炎（CHB）45人,肝硬化（LC）45人,ACLF 49人,肝细胞癌（HCC）27人,各组A1762T/G1764A双突变率分别为40.0%（18/45）、84.4%（38/45）、73.5%（36/49）、92.6%（25/27）.但是,以CHB为基础的ACLF患者和以LC为基础的ACLF患者A1762T/G1764A双突变率差异无统计学意义[（81.3%）vs.（69.7%）,P=0.502].HBeAg阳性者和HBeAg阴性者BCP双突变率差异无统计学意义（P=0.735）.A1762T/G1764A双突变者HBV DNA水平（10g）为5.68±1.36,阴性者HBV DNA水平（log）为6.14±1.81,差异无统计学意义（P=0.075）.结论 A1762T/G1764A双突变与HBV感染后疾病进展相关,不具备ACLF特异性;A1762T/G1764A联合突变者HBV DNA水平及HBeAg状态也与非联合突变者差异无统计学意义.     

基因芯片检测乙醇对慢性乙型肝炎患者乙肝病毒多位点基因突变的研究

目的：研究乙醇对HBV DNA多位点基因变异的影响，为慢性乙型肝炎的临床诊断和治疗提供依据。方法:选取85例慢性乙肝患者为研究对象，分为嗜酒组和非嗜酒组，采用DNA芯片技术, 检测HBV DNA前C区G1896A及A1814C位点、BCP区 A1762T及G1764A位点、P区C528A及T552C位点的基因突变。结果:嗜酒组在BCP区A1762T及G1764A位点的突变频率明显高于非嗜酒组(均P<0.05)。在前C区G1896A及A1814C位点，P区C528A及T552C位点突变频率无明显差异（均P>0.05）。结论:乙醇导致乙肝病毒BCP区A1762T及G1764A位点发生基因突变，增强HBV基因的表达和复制，加重慢性乙型肝炎患者的病情。     

HBV基因型与前C/C启动子变异及抗病毒疗效的关系

目的 了解深圳市乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）基因分型情况，探讨HBV基因型与前C／C启动子变异、乙肝的病程进展及抗病毒疗效的关系。方法 用单克隆抗体ELISA法（mAbs ELISA）对深圳市165例HBV感染者进行HBV基因分型；随机抽取24例慢性乙型肝炎（CUB）患者，用基因芯片技术检测HBV前C／C启动子变异；回顾性分析HBV基因型与干扰素、贺普丁抗HBV疗效的关系。结果 ①165例患者中，以B型106例（64.2％）和C型48例（29．1％）为主。慢性无症状乙肝病毒携带者（ASC）组B型占95．4％，肝硬化（LC）组C型占64．7％（P〈0．05）。②24例CHB患者中，16例（10例B型，6例C型）发生HBV前C／C启动子变异：前C区变异（nt1896、1862）者10例（B型9例，C型1例）。基本C区启动子变异（BCP）变异（nt1762、1764）者6例（B型1例，C型5例）。③用干扰素治疗的27例HBeAg（＋）CHB患者，达到完全应答者B型11例（62．5％）较C型1例（9．1％）多见（P〈0．05）。用贺普丁治疗的29例HBeAg（＋）CHB患者，持续应答者B型15例（78．9％）较C型3例（30．0％）多见（P〈0．05）。结论 ①深圳市HBV基因分型以B型为主，C型次之。②C型较B型易发生BCP变异，发生肝硬化机会较高，且对于扰素及贺普丁疗效较差。     

乙型肝炎病毒核心启动子及前C区突变检测基因芯片的制备及临床应用

目的 建立检测乙型肝炎病毒核心启动子及前C区突变基因芯片并探讨其临床应用的价值.方法 设计并合成针对核心启动子1762/1764、1814及前C区1896位点突变的特异性探针,制备寡核苷酸芯片.采用不对称PCR对该区域进行扩增,扩增产物与芯片杂交后分析结果,并评价该方法的特异性、灵敏度.采用该方法检测138例HBV DNA阳性血清标本.结果 该方法能够特异地检测乙型肝炎病毒核心启动子1762/1764、1814及前C区1896位点,灵敏度达1×101拷贝/μl.138例HBV DNA阳性血清标本中,T1762/A1764突变40例（28.99%）,C1814突变11例（7.97%）,A1896突变16例（11.59%）.前C区A1896突变在高拷贝组中明显高于低拷贝组（P＜0.01）.结论 本研究建立的基因芯片能够准确同时检测HBVV核心启动子区突变和前C区突变,前C区A1896突变可能与HBV复制状态有关.     

乙型肝炎病毒基因型C亚型和核心启动子、前C/核心区基因变异的关系

目的 研究慢性乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）感染者中HBV基因型C亚型（HBV／C）的核心启动子、前C／核心区基因变异情况，分析HBV／C亚型的病毒学特征。方法 用酶联免疫法（ELISA）筛选出79例HBV／C，再用聚合酶链反应．限制性酶长度多态性分析方法（PCR-RFLP）进行HBV／C亚型分析；同时针对HBV核心启动子、DreC／核心区基因进行半巢式PCR及PCR产物直接测序。结果 ①79例HBV／C中，33例（41．8％）为HBV／C1亚型，46例（58．2％）为HBV／C2亚型。②HBV／C1亚型仅见于来自中国南方的患者（P〈0．0001）。③A1898位点变异仅见于HBV／C1亚型（P=0．056），V1753位点变异在HBV／C1亚型中多见（P〈0．05）；HBV／C2以T1858（90％）、A1896（40％）位点变异多见（P〈0．008）。T1762／A1764位点变异在HBV／C两种亚型中均常见。④肝细胞癌（HCC）患者中，V1753和T1762／A1764变异最常见（P〈0．05）。结论 HBV／CI和HBV／C2在中国有明显的地区差异；V1753合并T1762／A1764双变异与发展为HCC相关，尤其在HBV／C1患者。     

DNA芯片在乙型肝炎病毒基因突变分析中的应用

目的:探讨DNA芯片在乙型肝炎病毒基因突变分析中的应用及临床意义。方法:应用聚合酶链反应扩增乙型肝炎患者血清中HBVDNA,采用膜显色DNA芯片法检测HBVDNA前C区1896位,基本核心启动子区(BCP区)1762、1764位,P区528、552位突变。结果:未接受抗病毒药物拉米夫定治疗的6例HBsAg 、HBeAg 、HBeAb-的患者血清中未检测到病毒变异,13例HBsAg 、HBeAg-、HBeAb 的患者中检测到前C区1896位变异9例,BCP区1762、1764位变异11例,13例HBsAg 、HBeAg 、HBeAb 的患者中检测到前C区1896位变异4例,BCP区1762、1764位变异13例,未检测到P区基因变异;15例接受拉米夫定治疗48周后的HBVDNA阳性患者中,检测到前C区1896位变异5例,BCP区1762、1764位变异6例,P区528位变异2例,P区552位YVDD变异4例,YIDD变异7例。结论:前C区1896位、BCP区1762、1764位突变较多的出现在HBeAb 的患者中并与HBeAg的阴性表型相关,BCP区1762、1764位突变与HBeAg/HBeAb血清转换密切相关,而P区528、552位突变更多的出现在接受拉米夫定治疗后的患者中,与拉米夫定耐药相关;膜显色DNA芯片法用于乙型肝炎病毒基因突变分析,简便、快速、特异性好,适合临床推广应用。     

Features and clinical implications of hepatitis B virus genotypes and mutations in basal core promoter/precore region in 507 Chinese patients with acute and chronic hepatitis B

BackgroundThe association of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes and basal core promoter (BCP) and precore (PC) mutations with the clinical characteristics is increasingly recognized.ObjectiveTo investigate virologic features and clinical implications of HBV genotypes, BCP and PC mutations between large-size patients with acute hepatitis B (AHB) and chronic hepatitis B (CHB).Study designOne hundred and eighty-two AHB patients and 325 CHB patients were investigated. HBV genotypes and BCP/PC mutations were determined by direct sequencing. Mutations at 10 interested sites of the BCP/PC region were compared between the two groups of patients.ResultsAHB patients had a significantly higher ratio of genotype B to C than CHB patients (37.4–62.6% vs. 16.6–83.4%, P < 0.001). The prevalence of BCP/PC wild-type virus was 60.4% in AHB patients in contrast to 28.9% in CHB patients. Significantly lower prevalence of A1762T, G1764A, G1896A, and G1899A but higher prevalence of T1758C was found in AHB patients. Interestingly, T1758C and A1762T/G1764A appeared mutual restraint. Genotype B virus had lower BCP mutation frequency and similar PC mutation frequency compared to genotype C virus. AHB patients with BCP/PC mutant virus had higher viral load, whereas CHB patients with BCP/PC mutant virus had lower viral load and elevated alanine aminotransferase, in comparison with those with the wild-type virus.ConclusionPatients with genotype B virus, BCP/PC wild-type virus or T1758C mutant virus were more susceptible to develop AHB, whereas high prevalence of the BCP/PC mutations was associated with CHB development.     

Hepatitis B virus genotype B with G1896A and A1762T/G1764A mutations is associated with hepatitis B related acute-on-chronic liver failure

The existence of statistical associations between hepatitis B‐related acute‐on‐chronic liver failure and both hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype and mutations in the basal core promoter (BCP) and precore (PC) regions needs to be confirmed. A total of 322 patients with a chronic HBV infection, including 77 with hepatitis B‐related acute‐on‐chronic liver failure, 109 with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and 136 with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) were enrolled. The HBV genotype and the presence of mutations in the BCP/PC regions were determined by direct sequencing, and the frequencies were compared in the three patient groups. Overall, 198/322 (61.5%) were infected with genotype B and 124/322 (38.5%) with genotype C. Genotype B was significantly more frequent in patients with acute‐on‐chronic liver failure than CHB (92.2% vs. 60.3%, P < 0.001). As a contrast, genotype C was more common in patients with HCC than CHB (58.7% vs. 39.7%, P = 0.003). In genotype B patients, the A1762T/G1764A, A1846T, and G1896A mutations were significantly more prevalent in patients with acute‐on‐chronic liver failure than CHB (50.7% vs. 28.0%, P = 0.004; 59.2% vs. 34.1%, P = 0.002; 69.0% vs. 41.5%, P = 0.001, respectively). In multivariate analysis, the risk factors for acute‐on‐chronic liver failure were genotype B, A1762T/G1764A, and G1896A. In conclusion, CHB patients with genotype B, G1896A, and A1762T/G1764A had a higher tendency to develop liver failure than patients with genotype C. Therefore, HBV genotyping and detecting G1896A and A1762T/G1764A mutations might have important clinical implications as predictive risk factors for hepatitis B‐related acute‐on‐chronic liver failure. J. Med. Virol. 83:1544–1550, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Precore/core promoter mutations and genotypes of hepatitis B virus in chronic hepatitis B patients with fulminant or subfulminant hepatitis

The association of precore stop codon mutation (A1896), dinucleotide mutation (T1762/A1764) in the basic core promoter of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome, and genotype of HBV with fulminant or subfulminant hepatitis remains controversial. We studied HBV genotypes as well as mutations in the precore and basic core promoter regions in 18 hepatitis B carriers with fulminant or subfulminant hepatitis. Genotyping of HBV was performed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. The presence of A1896 in the precore gene and T1762/A1764 in the basic core promoter gene was determined by the polymerase chain reaction and by direct sequencing. Eighteen age- and sex-matched patients with chronic active hepatitis B served as controls. The HBV was of genotype B in 14, genotype C in 3, and unclassified in 1. Precore A1896 mutation occurred in 12 (67%) of the 18 patients. In contrast, the prevalence of basic core promoter mutation was only 17%. Nevertheless, the distribution of HBV genotype and the prevalence of precore A1896 mutation in the fulminant and subfulminant hepatitis patients were similar to those in 18 control patients. In conclusion, the genomic variability of HBV does not seem to contribute to the fulminant and subfulminant exacerbation of chronic hepatitis B in Taiwanese HBV carriers.     

Evolution of precore/core promoter mutations in hepatitis B carriers with hepatitis B e antigen seroreversion

The evolution of precore stop codon mutation (A1896) and dinucleotide mutation (T1762/A1764) in the basic core promoter (BCP) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome during transient seroconversion and seroreversion of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) remains unclarified. Five HBeAg-positive HBV carriers who experienced transient seroconversion followed by seroreversion of HBeAg (Group I, 3.3%) and 3 HBeAg-negative HBV carriers with documented reversion of HBeAg (Group II, 2.5%) in a prospective cohort of 272 patients with chronic hepatitis B were thus identified. The sequential changes at the precore nucleotide 1896 and BCP dinucleotide 1762/1764 were determined by polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing. At enrollement, precore A1896 and BCP T1762/A1764 were noted in 4 (50%) and 1 (13%) of the eight patients. During a median follow-up period of 58 months (range: 31-76 months), 12 episodes of transient HBeAg seroconversion followed by seroreversion were encountered in Group I patients and 3 episodes of HBeAg seroreversion in Group II patients. Accompanying acute exacerbations were found in two-thirds of patients with either HBeAg seroconversion or seroreversion. Overall, precore nucleotide A1896 remained identical in 73% and 83% of the seroconversion and seroreversion events, respectively. BCP dinucleotide T1762/A1764 remained unchanged in 94% and 92% of the seroconversion and seroreversion events, respectively. At the end of follow-up, only one had both precore and BCP mutations. In conclusion, these data suggested that HBeAg seroreversion might be due to the lack of sustained precore and BCP mutations after HBeAg seroconversion. Although uncommon, HBeAg seroreversion can be associated with hepatitis exacerbation.     

Clinical significance of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes and precore and core promoter mutations affecting HBV e antigen expression in Taiwan

To assess the prevalence and clinical significance of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes and precore and core promoter mutations in Taiwan, a cohort of 200 Taiwanese chronic hepatitis B patients was analyzed. The HBV genotypes and sequences of the precore and the core promoter regions were determined in 66 asymptomatic carriers and 134 patients who had liver biopsy-verified chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis. The HBV e-antigen (HBeAg)-negative patients had a higher frequency of mutations at core promoter nucleotides 1753 and 1773 and precore nucleotides 1846, 1896, and 1899 than HBeAg-positive patients. Among the 200 patients, the frequencies of genotype C, T1762 and A1764, C1753, T1766 and A1768, and A1896 mutations increased and the frequencies of T or G1752, T1773, G1799, and C1858 mutations decreased with advancing liver diseases. These factors were different between those with HBeAg-positive status and those with HBeAg-negative status. Based on multiple logistic regression analysis, the risk factors of liver cirrhosis for 200 patients were the presence of T1762 and A1764 mutations (odds ratio [OR] = 11.11; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.91 to 31.25; P < 0.001), age > or =35 years (OR = 3.42; 95% CI = 1.33 to 8.77; P = 0.011), and genotype C (OR = 2.87; 95% CI = 1.21 to 6.81; P = 0.017). Further categorical analysis found that 62.1% of patients with genotype C, T1762 and A1764 mutations and age > or =35 years had liver cirrhosis. None of the 55 patients infected with the genotype B, A1762 and G1764 wild type and age <35 years showed liver cirrhosis. In conclusion, our data suggest that pathogenic differences between HBeAg-positive and -negative patients may exist. In Taiwan, HBV genotype C and the T1762 and A1764 mutations may play a role in HBV-related liver cirrhosis, and these could serve as molecular markers for prediction of the clinical outcomes of chronic HBV patients.     

Variations in the functional domain of basal core promoter of hepatitis B virus among Eastern Indian patients with prevalence of genotypes A, C, and D among the same ethnic population

Mutations in the basal core promoter (BCP) and precore (PC) regions are associated with persistent and intermittently high hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication in several patients. The variability in the functional domains of BCP and PC region of HBV and their association with disease progression and clinical outcome were assessed in Eastern India, an unique region where three HBV genotypes, A, D, and C are prevalent among the same ethnic group. PCR amplification and direct sequencing of BCP and PC region was done on sera obtained from 130 HBsAg positive subjects with different clinical presentations. Associations of the apparent risk factors with clinical advancement were evaluated by statistical methods including multiple logistic regression analyses (MLR). HBV genotype A was present in 33.08%, C in 25.38%, and D in 41.54% cases. Genotypes A and C were associated with higher rate of T1762/A1764 mutations than the most predominant genotype D. HBeAg negative state was associated with considerably higher rate of C1753 mutation. T1762/A1764 along with C1753 was common among cirrhosis and T1762/A1764 without C1753 was frequent among chronic liver disease cases. No significant association was found between A1896 point mutation and clinical status. Multivariate analysis revealed that T1762/A1764 double mutation, HBV/A, age ≥25 years, C1753 and A1899 were critical factors for clinical advancement while age ≥25 years and C1753 as significant predictor for cirrhosis in comparison with chronic liver disease. In conclusion, the analysis of the BCP variability may help in monitoring the progression towards advanced liver disease in Eastern Indian patients.     

Characteristics of core promoter and precore stop codon mutants of hepatitis B virus in Vietnam

In Asia, genotypes B and C are the most common genotypes of hepatitis B virus (HBV); and genotype C causes more severe liver disease. Core promoter/precore (CP/PC) mutants, known to be linked to these genotypes, could have an impact on the progression and severity of liver disease. Sera of 115 patients, including 39 acute and 76 chronic Vietnamese HBV infected patients, were tested for their liver profile, HBeAg, HBV genotypes, and HBV DNA level. Fragments of 282 nucleotides covering CP/PC were amplified, sequenced, and analysed. In the acute group, CP/PC mutants accounted for 38.4 and 25.6%, respectively. Genotype B was found to be predominant (74.3%, P < 0.05) and linked to the PC mutant (A1896) (P < 0.05). In the chronic group, CP/PC mutants accounted for 61.7 and 32.8%. CP mutants, especially the T1762/A1764 double mutant, were found to correlate with genotype C (81%, P < 0.001), liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (P < 0.05). Therefore, genotype C in Vietnam, which carried high rate of C-1858 (70%), could play an important role in causing severe chronic liver disease.     

Prevalence of hepatitis B genotype and viral basic core promoter and precore mutations among teenagers in Macao: relationship with hepatocellular carcinoma development

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global problem and over 75% of cases are reported in the Asia Pacific region. Infection can lead to progressive liver disease, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Previous studies suggest the prevalence of HBV carriers in Macau to be approximately 10% of the population. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of HBV genotypes among HBV-positive teenagers in Macao and the prevalence of base core promoter (BCP) and precore (PreC) mutations in the viral genome. In addition, through monitoring aminotransferase and alpha-fetoprotein, it aims to investigate relationships among HBV genotypes, BCP/PreC mutations and HCC development. This study recruited 1991 teenagers in Macau in 2008, and the PreS1/S2, BCP and PreC region of the HBV genome from 34 HBsAg-positive subjects were amplified and sequenced to determine HBV genotype and presence of HCC-associated mutations. Results suggested that the average rate of HBV infection among secondary school teenagers in Macao is low, and HBV genotype B and C viruses were found to predominate in Macao. The BCP/PreC mutations A1762T, G1764A, G1896A and C1766T were identified in 2.9-11.7% of subjects. However, no significant relationship was observed between HBV genotype, BCP/PreC mutations and HCC development.     

Hepatitis B virus genotyping, core promoter, and precore/core mutations among Afghan patients infected with hepatitis B: a preliminary report

In spite of hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination, HBV infection remains an important public health problem worldwide. Although the HBV genotype distribution has been determined in some parts of South Central Asia, no survey has been conducted to determine the HBV genotype in Afghanistan. Twelve Afghan patients infected with HBV living in Afghanistan were enrolled in this study. Partial HBsAg and basic core promoter, precore, and core (BCP/preC/C) regions were amplified and subjected for direct sequencing. In parallel, precore G1896A mutation was also determined by an amplification-created restriction site method. Results revealed HBV genotype D (95% bootstrap value), sub-genotype D1 (98% bootstrap value), and subtype ayw2 in all Afghan isolates. Afghan isolates clustered in a separate branch in the D1 sub-genotype called D1', while supported by 82% bootstrap value. The percentage of intra-genotypic distance among Afghan isolates was 1.05% and inter-genotypic distance with the other genotype D was 2.87% and with other genotypes was 7.50%-11.1%. The wild-type, mixed infection, and precore mutant were found in six, two, and four HBV isolates, respectively. The A1762T/G1764A BCP dual mutation was found in one isolate. Three isolates presented single mutation in the BCP dual mutation region, whereas two showed a novel G1764T mutation. In conclusion, this preliminary study revealed HBV genotype D, sub-genotype D1, and subtype ayw2 of HBV among hepatitis B infected patients from Afghanistan. Further investigation should be carried out.     

Molecular analysis of hepatitis B virus genomes isolated from black African patients with fulminant hepatitis B

To investigate further the possible role of mutant hepatitis B viruses in the pathogenesis of fulminant hepatitis B, the genomic sequence of hepatitis B virus isolates from 9 South African blacks with this disease, including 5 entire genomes, was analysed. Seven of the isolates were genotype A. The mutation most often reported in patients with fulminant hepatitis B, the G1896A precore stop-codon substitution, was, as expected, not present in the genotype A isolates with the exception of one in which it was accompanied by a compensatory C1858T substitution. G1896A was, however, present in the one genotype D isolate. No other precore-defective mutants were detected. The other mutation commonly found in patients with fulminant hepatitis B, the paired A1762T, G1764A substitution in the basic core promoter, was present in only one patient and G1764A in one other. The pre-surface initiation-codon mutation documented in a number of patients with fulminant hepatitis B was not found in our isolates. An 18-amino acid deletion present in the pre-surface region of one isolate has not previously been described in fulminant hepatitis B. Variations within the surface region were mainly genotype specific and not previously described. A relatively large number of mutations were present in the middle region of the core gene in those isolates without G1896A or A1762T, G1764A mutations, although the pattern was not consistent with those in published studies. Thus, as in other published series in which the entire genome of hepatitis B virus responsible for fulminant hepatitis was sequenced, we detected many mutations in different genes, but none was common to all the reported isolates.