Study of Hepatitis B Virus Genotypes among Chronic Hepatitis B Patients in Lianyungang Area

[Objective]To investigate the distribution of hepatitis B virus(HBV) genotypes and explore its clinical significance among hepatitis B patients in Lianyungang Area from July 2003 to 2005.[Methods]Sixty-three patients with chronic hepatitis B from Lianyungang Area were included in this study.HBV surface gene amplified by characteristics of PCR-microfluidic chip for analysis of hepatitis B virus genotype and the relationship of HBV genotype with clinical,serological and histological data of the patients was analyzed.[Results]12 out of 63 patients were infected with HBV strains of genotype B;45 with genotype C,4 with genotype B+C,and 2 with HBV that did not conform to any of the genotypes from A to H.But ALT level in 7 patients aged over 35 with B and 21 patients with C genotype was(174.0±124.7)IU/L and(247.8±212.6)IU/L(P0.05),HBV DNA loading was(5.0±2.1)log.copies/ml and(6.4±2.7l)g log.copies /ml respectively.There was a difference(P0.05).the genotype C was accompanied by significantly higher HBV DNA loading and serum ALT level than genotype B.While there was no difference of the ALT level,HBV-DNA loading and HBeAg positive rate in patients aged 18-34 with genotype B and C(P0.05).[Conclusion]HBV genotype B and C are the major genotypes prevalent in Lianyungang Area.Genotype C is associated with the longer duration of ALT level and higher HBV DNA level in patients older than 35 years,suggesting the higher risk of HBV genotype C infection to progress into chronic liver disease.