HBV genotype distribution and its relationship with serum HBV DNA level and HBeAg expression among patients with chronic hepatitis B in southern Zhejiang Province, China

Objective To analyze the hepatitis B virus ( HBV) genotype distribution among chronic hepatitis B patients in southern Zhejiang Province, China, and to explore the relationship of HBV genotype with serum HBV DNA level and HBeAg expression. Methods Serum samples were collected from 161 patients positive for HBV DNA who visited our hospital from June 2011 to March 2012. Sequence-specific primer PCR was used for the HBV genotyping; real-time quantitative PCR was used to quantify HBV DNA ( copies /ml) ; ELISA was used to detect HBeAg. After logarithmic transformation was performed on HBV DNA levels so that the data were in normal distribution, the relationship between HBV genotype and HBeAg positive rate was analyzed by chi-square test, and the difference in HBV DNA level between patients with B and C genotypes was analyzed by t test. Results Of the 161 patients, 41 ( 25. 5%) had B genotype, 118 ( 73. 3%) had C genotype, and 2 ( 1. 2%) had B /C mixed genotype. The HBV DNA level and HBeAg positive rate for patients with C genotype were5. 84 ± 1. 40 log10 copies /ml and 64. 4%, respectively, higher than those for patients with B genotype ( 5. 49 ± 1. 33 log10 copies /ml and 53.7%) . Conclusion In southern Zhejiang Province, C genotype is the predominant genotype of HBV, followed by B genotype. Both HBV DNA level and HBeAg positive rate are higher in patients with C genotype than in those with B genotype. C genotype is closely associated with the development of liver cirrhosis.