A Study on the Relationship between HBV Genotype and Outcome of Hepatitis B Virus Infection

Objective To explore the relationship between hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype and outcome of HBV infection. Methods PCR amplification of HBV small S gene in combination with a restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis was applied to identify HBV genotype in the serum samples of 80 asymptomatic HBV carriers (AsC group) and 120 liver cirrhosis patients with HBV infection (LC group) in Gangdong province of China. Results The frequency of HBV genotypes B, C and D in AsC group was 45% (37/80), 33.75%(26/80) and 21.25%(17/80)respectively, and that of HBV genotypes B, C and D in LC group was 32.5%(39/120), 65.8%(79/120) and 1.6%(2/120) respectively. There is no HBV genotypes A, E and F in this series. The distribution of HBV genotypes in the two groups was not significant correlation with the state of HBeAg. There was a significant difference in the distribution of HBV genotypes between the two groups (P0.01). Conclusion HBV genotypes B and C were the major genotypes of HBV infectious population in Guangdong province. HBV genotype C was associated with the development of severe liver diseases, while the patients with genotype D HBV infection had a relatively good prognosis.