Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 2, 2026

Author Spotlight: Advancements and Challenges in Hepatitis B Virus Detection
Published on: December 15, 2023
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome detection and genotyping in virally suppressed patients using nested polymerase chain
Keith Ck Lau1, Carla Osiowy2, Carla S Coffin3
1Calgary Liver Unit, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Abstract:
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes have important clinical implications. Current genotyping methods are less sensitive in patients with ultra-low HBV viral load. We report a highly sensitive and specific nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for genotyping patient HBV. Total DNA derived from plasma of 14 (HBsAg+ and/or HBsAg-) HBcAb+ patients was used for HBV-specific nested PCRs targeting the preC/C, X/BCP/preC, and surface regions. All patients were treated with long-term nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs), and 12/14 have undetectable viremia (clinical PCR: sensitivity >10 IU/mL). Surface amplicons were sequenced, aligned with reference genomes, and used in phylogenetic tree construction to determine genotype. HBV DNA was detected in 14/14, including 3 occult (HBsAg-/HBcAb+) cases. Genotypes identified were 6/14 B, 6/14 C, and 2/14 D. This assay in virologically suppressed patients may be useful for future studies requiring genotype prior to assessment of immunomodulatory and/or direct acting anti-viral therapeutics in patients on potent NAs.
Related Concept Videos
Sanger Sequencing
Viral Recombination
Genomics
Bacterial RNA Polymerase
In most genes, the transcription site is a single base present upstream of the coding sequence. Though RNAP is a catalytically efficient enzyme, it does not recognize...
Translesion DNA Polymerases
TLS polymerases are found in all three domains of life - archaea, bacteria, and eukaryotes. Of the different classes of TLS polymerases, members of the Y family are fitted with specialized structures that...
What are Viruses?

