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Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction-Based Detection and Quantification of Hepatitis B Virus DNA
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Genotypes of hepatitis B virus among children in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Prapan Jutavijittum1, Amnat Yousukh, Yupa Jiviriyawat

  • 1Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand. pjutavij@mail.med.cmu.ac.th

The Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health
|June 21, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype C is highly prevalent in northern Thai children, with genotype B also detected. This finding suggests perinatal transmission is a significant factor in HBV spread in the region.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Virology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major global health concern, particularly endemic in sub-Saharan Africa, the Pacific, and Asia.
  • Perinatal transmission is the most common route for HBV infection in endemic regions.
  • Understanding HBV genotype distribution is crucial for effective prevention and control strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes among children in northern Thailand.
  • To identify the dominant HBV genotypes contributing to childhood infections in the region.
  • To inform public health strategies aimed at reducing horizontal HBV transmission.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional survey of 1,231 schoolchildren in Chiang Mai, Thailand, conducted between 1998 and 2000.
  • Detection of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) to identify infected individuals.
  • Multiplex-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) used to determine HBV genotypes (A-F) in 53 HBsAg-positive samples.

Main Results:

  • A total of 55 schoolchildren (4.5%) tested positive for HBsAg.
  • Among the 53 HBsAg-positive samples analyzed, 90.6% were genotype C, and 7.5% were genotype B.
  • One case (1.9%) showed a mixed infection of HBV genotypes B and C.

Conclusions:

  • Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype C is the predominant genotype among children in northern Thailand, followed by genotype B.
  • The observed genotype distribution aligns with findings in adult blood donors and national surveys, indicating a consistent pattern.
  • Perinatal transmission likely plays a significant role in the high prevalence of HBV genotypes C and B in this Asian region.

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