Korean J Hepatol.  2009 Jun;15(2):140-147. 10.3350/kjhep.2009.15.2.140.

Distribution of hepatitis B virus genotypes in Korea

• Cho JH
• Yoon KH
• Lee KE
• Park DS
• Lee YJ
• Moon HB
• Lee KR
• Choi CS
• Cho EY
• Kim HC

• KMID: 1381435
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3350/kjhep.2009.15.2.140

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Considering the incidence of prevailing hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes in neighboring nations, the predominance of genotype C in Korea is exceptional and needs to be confirmed by nationwide investigation.
METHODS
A total of 510 HBsAg (+) or HBeAg (+) serum samples was collected from subjects in several cities and harbors throughout the Korean peninsula for genotype (A-G)-specific multiplex PCR analysis. Another 40 serum samples from chronic HBV carriers from Iksan city were selected for sequencing of the entire HBV genome. Phylogenetic analysis was performed with 22 whole genomic sequences of Korean HBV strains enrolled in GenBank.
RESULTS
An amplicon was found in 377 specimens and genotype C occupied 98.1% (370 cases); none of the other genotypes were found. A mixed pattern of genotypes B and C was seen in seven specimens (1.9%), of which five were tested using PCR targeting the X fragment; no genotype B bands were found. With the exception of 1 case, which was subgenotype A2, whole sequences of Korean HBV strains (n=62) belonged to subgenotype C2.
CONCLUSIONS
The prevailing HBV genotype in Korea is C2; the other genotypes occur only rarely. Future studies should include confirmation of the detection of genotypes other than C.

Keyword

Hepatitis B virus; Epidemiology; Genotype; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Korea

MeSH Terms

Genotype
Hepatitis B Surface Antigens/blood
Hepatitis B e Antigens/blood
Hepatitis B virus/classification/*genetics
Humans
Korea/epidemiology
Phylogeny
Protein Precursors/analysis/genetics
Sequence Analysis, DNA
Viral Envelope Proteins/analysis/genetics