[Relation between genotype of HBV and its clinical manifestation by PCR with genotype-specific primers].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relation between genotype of HBV and its clinical manifestation. METHODS: Sera of 220 patients from Hunan Province of China, infected chronically with asymptomatic, mild, moderate, severe and fulminant hepatitis hepatitis B, were genotyped by PCR with genotype-specific primers. The results were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Only genotype B (86.4%) and C (13.6%) were found. With the aggravations of patients' condition, genotype C was found more often (P < 0.05). The levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total bilirubin (TBIL) and HBV-DNA of genotype C was higher than those of genotype B, but there was no statistical difference. However, the ALT elevation rates of genotype C (96.7%) were significantly higher than those of genotype B (75.2%) (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in HBeAg rate between genotype B and C in general, but in patients with chronic fulminant hepatitis or aged 21 approximately 30, the HBeAg rates of genotype C (35.0% and 50.0%) were significantly higher than those of genotype B (14.4% and 24.5%) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The dominant genotype of HBV in Hunan Province of China is genotype B and C. Genotype of HBV correlates with its clinical manifestation and genotype C of HBV can lead to more severe hepatitis than genotype B of HBV.