Genotype of Hepatitis B Virus in Romanian Patients

Abstract

Viral hepatitis B is a major health problem in Romania. However, genotyping of hepatitis B virus (HBV) has not yet been conducted in samples originating from Romanian patients. Previous studies have suggested a correlation between the viral genotype and the evolution of the disease, the development of resistant mutant strains and the response to current therapeutic protocols. In order to characterise the distribution of HBV genotypes in patients from Transylvania, located in the North-Western part of Romania, we analysed the samples obtained from 10 consecutive patients diagnosed with acute type B viral hepatitis. Viral genotype was assigned by PCR amplification and sequencing of pol BCD, pre-S1 and pre-C/C regions of the HBV genome. Biological assays (HBs and HBe antigens, anti-HBe antibodies) and viral quantification were also conducted on each sample. Our results indicate a predominance of the genotype D (70%), followed by the genotype A (30%). This preliminary study conducted in Romanian patients may open to way to further investigations, conducted on larger patient samples, in order to characterise the molecular epidemiology of HBV in Romania.