Clinicopathologic features and genotyping of patients with chronic HBV infection in the Upper Egypt

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Virology
• Clinical Medicine

Background:

• Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global health concern with diverse clinical outcomes.
• Understanding HBV genotypes and their geographic distribution is crucial for disease management.
• Limited data exists on HBV genotypes and clinicopathologic features in Upper Egypt.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the clinicopathologic characteristics of HBV-infected patients in Upper Egypt.
• To determine the predominant HBV genotypes in this patient cohort.
• To explore the correlation between HBV genotypes, clinical presentation, and liver disease severity.

Main Methods:

• Serum samples from 83 HBsAg-positive patients (carriers, chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma) were analyzed.
• Hepatitis B virus genotyping was performed for genotypes A-F using primer-specific polymerase chain reaction.
• Clinicopathologic data and liver function tests (AST, ALT) were assessed.

Main Results:

• Hepatitis B virus genotype D was the sole genotype detected across all clinical forms of HBV infection.
• Genotype D predominance was observed irrespective of alanine aminotransferase levels or patient age.
• Absence of HBeAg in 78 patients suggested prevalent pre-core or core mutations.
• Positive correlations were noted between AST, ALT levels, histological activity index, and hepatitis grade.

Conclusions:

• Hepatitis B virus genotype D is predominant in Upper Egypt, impacting various stages of chronic liver disease.
• The high prevalence of HBeAg absence suggests common mutations in the HBV genome in this region.
• This study provides essential insights into the epidemiology and clinical features of HBV infection in Upper Egypt.