Hepatitis B virus genotypes in eastern Azerbaijan, Northwest Iran

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Virology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global health concern.
• Genotyping of HBV is crucial for understanding its epidemiology and treatment.
• Eastern Azerbaijan Province, Iran, lacked previous HBV genotype investigations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the HBV genotype distribution in hepatitis patients in Eastern Azerbaijan Province.
• To provide the first report on HBV genotypes in this specific Iranian region.

Main Methods:

• 100 HBV-infected patients were recruited.
• Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) status were assessed.
• Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with type-specific primers was used for HBV DNA extraction and genotyping.

Main Results:

• Genotype D was the only HBV genotype identified in both acute and chronic hepatitis patients.
• Sequencing analysis confirmed 98%-99% homology with known HBV genotype D sequences.
• No significant association was found between HBV genotype D and different infection types.

Conclusions:

• HBV genotype D is the predominant genotype in Eastern Azerbaijan Province, Iran.
• The findings contribute to the understanding of HBV epidemiology in Northwest Iran.
• Further research may explore genotype-specific treatment responses.