Genotyping of Hepatitis B Virus by Multiplex PCR in Sistan and Baluchestan Province

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) has been classified into 8 genotypes (A - H) according to at least 8% dierence in complete nu- cleotide sequences or more than 4% in S gene. Dierent genotypes of HBV have important roles in development of certain disorders as: hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Therefore, knowing the distribution of HBV genotypes, have considerable impacts on treatment strategies, vaccination program, diagnosis and prevention. Objectives: This study aims to determine the prevalence of HBV genotypes in patients infected with the virus in Sistan and Baluches- tan province (south-east Iran). Patients and Methods: In this descriptive study, 163 patients infected with HBV were selected over the first 6 months (beginning from March 2012 onward). All the patients were HBsAg (hepatitis B surface antigen) and HBeAg (extracellular form of HBcAg) positive along with viral load > 10000 copies/mL. After DNA extraction from the patients' sera, viral genotypes were determined by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using special primers for each genotype. Results: From 163 samples, 154 samples (94.5%) had D genotype which was dominant genotype; and 9 samples (5.5%) had mixed genotype of C/D. Conclusions: This study showed that in Sistan and Baluchestan, like other regions of Iran as well as Mediterranean countries, D genotype is dominant genotype. In additional, C/D mixed genotype is also seen less frequently in this province.