Molecular analysis of HBV genotypes and subgenotypes in the Central-East region of Tunisia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In Tunisia, country of intermediate endemicity for Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, most molecular studies on the virus have been carried out in the North of the country and little is known about other regions. The aim of this study was to determine HBV genotype and subgenotypes in Central-East Tunisia. A total of 217 HBs antigen positive patients were enrolled and determination of genotype was investigated in 130 patients with detectable HBV DNA. HBV genotyping methods were: PCR-RFLP on the pre-S region, a PCR using type-specific primers in the S region (TSP-PCR) and partial sequencing in the pre-S region.

Results

Three genotypes (D, B and A) were detected by the PCR-RFLP method and two (D and A) with the TSP-PCR method, the concordance between the two methods

SUBMITTER: Hannachi N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2989323 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature