Common HBV genotype in southeastern Iranian patients

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Virology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Asymptomatic hepatitis B infection presents with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in blood without clinical symptoms.
• Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes may influence disease presentation and progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the frequency of HBV genotypes in asymptomatic carriers.
• To investigate the genotypic distribution of HBV in a cohort of individuals without symptoms.

Main Methods:

• Plasma samples from 100 asymptomatic HBV carriers were analyzed.
• Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HBs were detected using ELISA.
• HBV genotyping was performed using the GAP-PCR technique.

Main Results:

• All 100 samples tested positive for HBsAg.
• Anti-hepatitis B core antigen was detected in 60% of the cases.
• Hepatitis B virus genotype D was identified in all tested patients.

Conclusions:

• The D genotype is the predominant HBV genotype among asymptomatic carriers in this study population.
• Genotypic characterization of HBV is important for understanding asymptomatic infections.