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- Title
Molecular epidemiological study of hepatitis B virus in Thailand based on the analysis of pre-S and S genes.
- Authors
Suwannakarn, Kamol; Tangkijvanich, Pisit; Thawornsuk, Nutchanart; Theamboonlers, Apiradee; Tharmaphornpilas, Piyanit; Yoocharoen, Pornsak; Chongsrisawat, Voranush; Poovorawan, Yong
- Abstract
Aims: This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence and characteristics of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes, antigen subtypes, “a” determinant variants and pre-S gene mutations circulating on a large scale in Thailand. Methods: The sequences of the Pre-S1, Pre-S2 and S regions were determined in serum samples of 147 HBsAg and HBV DNA-positive subjects who had been enrolled from the nationwide seroepidemiological survey conducted on 6213 individuals in 2004. Results: The results showed that genotypes C, B and A accounted for 87.1%, 11.6% and 1.3%, respectively. The distribution of the HBV antigen subtypes was: adr (84.4%), adw (14.2%) and ayw (1.4%). Regarding the “a” determinant, 2/43 (4.65%) and 2/104 (1.92%) samples of vaccinated and non-vaccinated subjects, respectively, displayed mutations, all ofwhich were Thr126Asn. Sequencing analysis showed the pre-S mutations in 14 (9.5%) samples, with pre-S2 deletion as the most common mutant (4.1%) followed by pre-S2 start codon mutation (2.9%), both pre-S2 deletion and start codon mutation (2.0%), and pre-S1 deletion (0.7%). The pre-S mutations were associated with older age and higher mean serum HBsAg level. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that HBV genotype/subtype C/adr and B/adw were the predominant strains circulating in Thailand. The “a” determinant variants seemed to be uncommon, and might not be attributed to vaccine-induced mutation.
- Subjects
THAILAND; MOLECULAR epidemiology; EPIDEMIOLOGY; HEPATITIS B virus; HEPATITIS viruses; GENES
- Publication
Hepatology Research, 2008, Vol 38, Issue 3, p244
- ISSN
1386-6346
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/j.1872-034X.2007.00254.x