African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 6 (1), pp. 001-002, 4 January 2007   

ISSN 1684–5315 © 2007 Academic Journals        

Short Communication

Distribution of hepatitis B virus genotypes in 50 pati-ents with chronic hepatitis B in Abidjan–Côte d’Ivoire in 2003

Kouassi-M’Bengue, A.^1*, Ekaza, Euloge¹, Attia. A.² , Kacou N’Douba, A.¹  and M. Dosso.¹

¹UFR des Sciences Médicales –Département  de Bactériologie-Virologie, Institut Pasteur de Côte d’Ivoire.

²UFR des Sciences Médicales –Médecine Interne, Abidjan Côte d’Ivoire.

*Corresponding Author’s E-mail: kouassimbengue@yahoo.fr

Accepted 13 December, 2006

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.