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Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction-Based Detection and Quantification of Hepatitis B Virus DNA
Published on: December 15, 2023
Hepatitis B virus genotypes: a retrospective survey in Southwestern France, 1999-2004
Pascale Trimoulet1, Mathieu Boutonnet, Maria Winnock
1Laboratoire de virologie; Hôpital Pellegrin, 33076 bordeaux Cedex. pascale.trimoulet@chu-bordeaux.fr
Insights
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes vary by ethnicity in Southwestern France, with genotypes A and D being most common. Genotype A correlates with HBeAg-positivity, while genotype D is linked to HBeAg-negativity.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a significant global health concern.
- Understanding HBV genotype distribution is crucial for effective management and treatment strategies.
- Genotype-specific differences in disease progression and treatment response are increasingly recognized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of different HBV genotypes in Southwestern France.
- To explore the association between HBV genotypes and patient characteristics, including ethnicity and HIV co-infection.
- To examine the relationship between HBV genotypes and Hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg) status.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 194 HBsAg-positive patients was analyzed retrospectively.
- HBV genotyping was performed using sequencing.
- Patient data, including ethnicity, HIV status, and HBeAg serostatus, were collected and analyzed.
Main Results:
- Genotype distribution: A (51%), D (26.3%), E (7.7%), B (6.7%), C (5.7%), G (2.1%), F (0.5%).
- Genotype A was predominantly found in Caucasians (96%), genotype E in Africans (82%), and genotypes B/C in Asians (82%/80%).
- Genotype A showed a higher prevalence of HBeAg-positivity (53%) compared to genotype D (35.3%, P=0.03).
Conclusions:
- HBV genotype distribution is significantly influenced by ethnic origin in Southwestern France.
- Genotypes A and D are the most prevalent genotypes identified in this population.
- Genotype A is associated with HBeAg-positivity, whereas genotype D is more frequently observed in HBeAg-negative individuals.
Objective:
To determine the prevalence of HBV genotypes in Southwestern France and the association between HBV genotypes and patients characteristics.
Methods:
194 HBsAg-positive patients (median age: 45 yrs, range: 7-77, male: 78%) followed in Bordeaux Hospital in 1999-2004 were included. HBV genotype, pre-core (PC) and core promoter (CP) mutations were determined by sequencing.
Results:
Genotype distribution was A 51%, B 6.7%, C 5.7%, D 26.3%, E 7.7%, F 0.5%, G 2.1%. Among the 146 patients documented, 71.2% were Caucasians, 15.8% Africans, 13.0% Asians. Fifty-seven patients (36%) were HIV-infected. Eighty-two (42.3%) patients were HBeAg-positive. Genotype A was almost exclusively carried by Caucasians (96%), Africans were most frequent among genotype E (82%), and Asians were most prevalent among genotypes B and C (82% and 80%, respectively). Genotype A was associated with a higher prevalence of HBeAg than genotype D (53% versus 35.3%, P=0.03). PC variant was detected in 35% and CP variant in 43% of patients. PC variant was uncommon in genotype A patients (7.3%).
Conclusion:
Distribution of HBV genotypes differs according to ethnic origin, genotypes A and D being the most frequently found. Genotype A was more frequently associated with HBeAg-positivity and genotype D with HBeAg-negativity.
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