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Heterogeneity of hepatitis B virus genotype D in Japan

Kojiro Michitaka1, Norio Horiike, Tran Nhu Duong

  • 1Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime, Japan. mich@m.ehime-u.ac.jp

Intervirology
|December 28, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Hepatitis B virus genotype D (HBV/D) infections in Japan show genetic diversity. This study found HBV/D isolates from Tokyo and Ehime areas are not uniformly related, indicating heterogeneous HBV/D epidemiology.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Hepatology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes B and C are most common in Japan.
  • Previous studies identified Hepatitis B virus genotype D (HBV/D) in 9% of carriers in western Japan, with closely related sequences.
  • Recent identification of HBV/D infections in the Tokyo area prompted further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the genetic relatedness of HBV/D isolates from different regions of Japan.
  • To compare HBV/D sequences from Tokyo area patients with those previously identified in the Ehime area.

Main Methods:

  • Whole genome sequencing of HBV/D isolates from three patients in the Tokyo area.
  • Phylogenetic analysis to compare sequences with isolates from the Ehime area.

Main Results:

  • All three HBV/D isolates from the Tokyo area had a genome length of 3,182 bases and were subtype ayw3.
  • Phylogenetic analysis showed one isolate was closely related to Ehime isolates, one was similar, and one was distinct.

Conclusions:

  • Hepatitis B virus genotype D infections in Japan exhibit genetic heterogeneity.
  • The findings suggest diverse origins or evolutionary pathways for HBV/D in Japan.
Abstract

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