High prevalence of mixed genotype infections in hepatitis B virus infected intravenous drug users
Journal
Journal of Medical Virology
Journal Volume
74
Journal Issue
4
Pages
536-542
Date Issued
2004
Author(s)
Abstract
The clinical relevance of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes has been documented; however, the prevalence of mixed HBV genotype infections in at-risk groups remains controversial. The HBV genotypes were determined in 325 HBV-infected intravenous drug users (IVDU) who were at a greater risk of multiple exposures to different HBV genotypes by using a newly developed line probe assay. The distribution of HBV genotype was as follows: genotype A alone in 2 (0.6%); genotype B alone in 256 (78.8%); genotype C alone in 10(3.1%); mixed genotype A and B in 18 (5.5%); genotype B and C in 30 (9.2%); genotype B and D in 1 (0.3%); genotype A and C in 1 (0.3%); and mixed infections of genotype A, B, and C in 3 (0.9%). Clonal analysis confirmed further the existence of mixed genotype infection and recombination between different genotypes. Compared with our previous data, the line probe assay seemed more sensitive than polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) assay in identifying HBV genotype (98.8% vs. 65.0%) and detecting mixed genotype infections (16.3% vs. 0%). In conclusion, the prevalence of mixed HBV infections is substantially higher in IVDU in endemic areas, and the line probe assay is a useful method for rapid genotyping of HBV, with particular reference to the detection of mixed genotype infections. ? 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
SDGs
Other Subjects
adult; aged; article; comparative study; drug use; genetic polymorphism; genotype; Hepatitis B virus; human; major clinical study; male; mixed infection; nonhuman; nucleotide sequence; polymerase chain reaction; prevalence; risk factor; virus infection; Hepatitis B virus
Publisher
Wiley-Liss Inc.
Type
journal article