Abstract
Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is a serious cause of liver-related mortality in patients infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV). Determination of genotypes of HDV and phylogenetic analysis are important for better understanding the pathogenesis of the liver diseases associated with HBV infection. The aim of this study was to determine the genotype or genotypes of HDV among chronically infected patients with HBV in eastern Turkey. A group of 113 patients infected with HBV and HDV were included in this study. The samples taken from the patients were analyzed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and restriction enzyme cleavage. According to the results of the restriction enzyme analysis, all of the RT-PCR products were determined to be HDV genotype I. Furthermore, for phylogenetic analysis and genotyping, 40 of HDV RT-PCR positive products were sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis of the sequences showed that all of the samples were infected with HDV genotype I. In addition, the results of the alignment analysis showed that the sequences of clinical samples were 82%-95% similar. These results indicate that high genetic diversity of the virus is possible in endemic areas such as Turkey.
Highlights
Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is a serious cause of liver-related mortality in patients infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV)
Many of the studies conducted since have demonstrated that co- or superinfection with HDV and HBV have caused more severe liver diseases compared to infection with HBV alone [2,3,4,5]
The aim of this study was to perform genotyping and phylogenetic analysis of HDV in patients chronically infected with HBV in eastern Turkey
Summary
Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is a serious cause of liver-related mortality in patients infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV). Determination of genotypes of HDV and phylogenetic analysis are important for better understanding the pathogenesis of the liver diseases associated with HBV infection. Phylogenetic analysis of the sequences showed that all of the samples were infected with HDV genotype I. Hepatitis delta virus was first discovered in patients with severe liver disease infected with HBV in the mid-1970s [3]. Many of the studies conducted since have demonstrated that co- or superinfection with HDV and HBV have caused more severe liver diseases compared to infection with HBV alone [2,3,4,5]. With regard to the community health, it has been suggested that HDV should be cautiously monitored in patients with HBV infection [2,3,6]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
