Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) strains isolated worldwide have been classified into eight genomic groups deduced from genome comparisons and designated as genotypes A to H. In order to investigate the prevalence of HBV genotypes in Abidjan-Cote d’Ivoire, a total of 50 chronic hepatitis B patients from two teaching hospitals were enrolled. Patients who were HBs Ag positive in serum at least for 6 months, who had HBV- DNA in serum and elevation of ALT levels more than 1.5 times upper limits of normal, and who had percutaneous liver biopsy within 6 months were included and genotyped. Three genotypes (A, B and C) out of total eight reported genotypes so far were identified; genotype A was the most predominant in this collection appearing in 22 samples (55%). Mixed genotypes were seen in 12 (25.3 %) HBV isolates. Ten of these were infected with genotypes AB whereas one with genotypes BC. One patient was infected with 3 genotypes (A/B/C).

Key words: Hepatitis B virus, Genotypes, Nested-PCR, Cote d'Ivoire.