Prevalence of HBV-genotypes in immigrants affected by HBV-related chronic active hepatitis

Arquivos de Gastroenterologia

Emilio Palumbo¹  Gaetano Scotto¹  Giuseppina Faleo¹  Donatella Concetta Cibelli¹  Annalisa Saracino¹  Gioacchino Angarano¹ 

[1],University of Foggia Clinic of Infectious Diseases ,Italy

关键词: Genotype;    Hepatitis B;    chronic;    Hepatitis B virus;    Emigration and immigration;    Italy;    Genótipo;    Hepatite B crônica;    Vírus da hepatite B;    Migração internacional;    Itália;   

DOI  :  10.1590/S0004-28032007000100012

来源: SciELO

【 摘 要 】

BACKGROUND: The genetic heterogeneity of the HBV genome has been established and eight genotypes can be classified according to the criterion of >8% differences in the complete nucleotide sequence of the viral genome. AIMS: To evaluate the prevalence of HBV-infection in a population of immigrants and to determine in patients with detectable serum HBV-DNA the HBV-genotypes. METHODS: Between January 2005 and December 2005 a total of 556 immigrants were tested for HBsAg. In HBsAg positive patients the biochemical and virological activity of infection and the possible presence of co-infections (HCV, HDV, HIV) were evaluated. In patients with detectable serum HBV DNA, the HBV-genotype was determined by INNOLiPA. RESULTS: Among the 556 subjects tested, 60 (10.7%) resulted HBsAg positive. All were men, and 42 (70%) come from Africa, 10 (16.6%) from Asia and 9 (14.4%) from East-Europe. 28/60 (46.6%) patients presented normal ALT levels (<40 IU/L) and undetectable serum HBV DNA (<100 copies/mL in real-time PCR), while 32 (53.4%) patients had ALT levels above laboratory normal values and detectable serum HBV DNA. Genotype distribution was as follow: genotype E, 16 (50%), genotype D, 9 (28.1%), genotype A, 7 (21.9%). CONCLUSION: Our study evidences a moderate prevalence of HBV-infection in immigrants, particularly in sub-Saharan African people, and the potentiality of migratory flow in the introduction of genotype non-D hepatitis B virus, potentially characterized by a different natural history and, possibly, a different response to antiviral treatment.

【 授权许可】

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