Not uncommon: HBV genotype G co‐infections among healthy European HBV carriers with genotype A and E infection

Background & Aims HBV genotype G (HBV/G) is mainly found in co-infections with other genotypes and was identified as an independent risk factor for liver fibrosis. This study aimed to analyse the prevalence of HBV/G healthy European carriers characterize crosstalk genotypes. Methods A total 560 were tested via HBV/G-specific PCR co-infections. Quasispecies distribution analysed deep sequencing, clinical phenotype characterized regarding qHBsAg-/HBV-DNA levels frequent mutations. Replicative capacity expression HBsAg/core studied hepatoma cells co-expressing either HBV/A, HBV/D or HBV/E using bicistronic vectors. Results Although no co-infection by routine genotyping PCR, detected specific 4%-8% patients infected HBV/A but only infrequently In contrast HBV/E, quasispecies major variant HBV/A. No differences observed vitro RNA DNA comparable among all genotypes, release HBsAg reduced co-expression HBV/E. core enhanced while from corresponding markedly diminished. Conclusions are common inactive infection, sufficient detection depends strongly on assay. regulated might play a critical role survival