Hepatitis B virus genotypes in eastern Azerbaijan, Northwest Iran.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to investigate, for the first time, the genotype of hepatitis B virus (HBV) among hepatitis patients in Eastern Azerbaijan Province, Northwest Iran. METHODS A total of 100 HBV-infected patients were enrolled in this study. Among these, 40 samples were positive for both HBsAg and HBeAg, whereas 60 samples were HBsAg positive and HBe Agnegative. Patients' sera were subjected to DNA extraction and the genotype determined by PCR using type-specific primers. RESULTS The results of genotyping revealed that genotype D was the only identified genotype in both acute and chronic patients in the study region. Analysis of sequencing results showed 98% - 99% homology with the previously reported HBV genotype D sequences. CONCLUSION Genotype D was recognized as the predominant HBV genotype in the studied area. There was no significant relationship between genotype D of HBV and different types of infections.