Genotype A2/adw2 Strain of Hepatitis B Virus in Turkey

Background and Aims

Previous studies have demonstrated the dominance of genotype D subtype ayw in patients with hepatitis B virus infection in Turkey. The aim of the present study is to report, for the first time, genotype A2 subtype adw2 of hepatitis B virus in a patient who is an inactive hepatitis B carrier in Turkey.

Materials and Methods

Hepatitis B virus DNA isolated from the serum sample was amplified by polymerase chain reaction. The polymerase gene segment of the hepatitis B virus was directly sequenced. A distance matrix/UPGMA comparison was used for phylogenetic analysis, and the genotype of the virus was identified accordingly. The subgenotype and subtype of hepatitis B virus were also detected.

Results

The genotyping of the patient revealed that the isolated hepatitis B virus was genotype A2/adw2.

Discussion

The subtype is inconsistent with the previous data from Turkey; specifically, the identification of the A2/adw2 subtype of the hepatitis B virus in an inactive carrier is the first such case in Turkey. This finding suggests that the transmission of another genotype besides genotype D subtype ayw of the hepatitis B virus is possible in Turkey.