Genetic relatedness of hepatitis B viral strains of diverse geographical origin and natural variations in the primary structure of the surface antigen

Abstract

A 681 nucleotide fragment of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome was sequenced that corresponded to the complete gene for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in 80HBsAg-and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive sera of diverse geographical origins. These and 42 previously published HBV sequences within the S gene were used for the construction of a dendrogram. In this comparison, each of the 122 HBsAg genes was found to be related to one or other of the six previously identified genomic groups of HBV, A to F. The HBV strains within each genomic group showed a characteristic geographical distribution. Group A genomes were represented by 23 strains mainly originating in northern Europe and sub-Saharan Africa. The group B and C genomes, represented by 17 and 28 strains respectively, were confined to populations with origins in eastern Asia and the Far East. The group D genomes, represented by 38 strains, were found worldwide, but were the predominant strains in the Mediterranean area, the Near and Middle East, and in south Asia. Group E genomes, represented by nine strains, were indigenous to western sub-Saharan Africa as far south as Angola. There were indications that the F group, made up of six strains, represented the genomic group of HBV among populations with origins in the New World. Thus, HBV has diverged into genomic groups according to the distribution of mankind in the different continents. As well as giving information on the genetic relationship of HBV strains of different geographical origin, this study also provides information on the primary structure of HBsAg in different regions of the world. Such data might prove valuable in explaining the reported failures to obtain protection with current HBV vaccines.

Hepatitis B virus S mutants in liver transplant recipients who were reinfected despite hepatitis B immune globulin prophylaxis

“…Comparison of the pre-OLT sequences of the 20 patients with 88 published sequences 16 showed that the predominant HBV genotype and subtype were A (9 patients) and adw2 (12 patients), respectively. Mutations were defined as rare if they were present in 1 to 2, and unique if they were absent in the 88 published sequences.…”

“…Thirteen patients (patients 1-13) became HBsAg-positive again while they were still receiving HBIG; 7 (patients [14][15][16][17][18][19][20] became HBsAg-positive after discontinuation of HBIG. Reinfection occurred after a mean of 8.5 Ϯ 1.5 months (range, 1-20 months) post-OLT.…”

Tracing the history of hepatitis B virus genotype D in western Japan

“…These genotypes have a distinct geographical distribution, with genotypes A (HBV/A) and HBV/ D predominant in Europe, Middle East, Central Asia, Siberia, and America, HBV/B and HBV/C in East Asia, and HBV/E in Africa. In addition, HBV/F has been reported in Central America, and HBV/G in the United States and France [Norder et al, 1993;Lindh et al, 1997;Sanchez-Tapias et al, 2002;Chu et al, 2003;Miyakawa and Mizokami, 2003;Deversa et al, 2004;Mulders et al, 2004;Tallo et al, 2004]. In Japan, HBV/C is the most prevalent, followed by HBV/B, while others are encountered very rarely.…”

Characterization of a Hepatitis B virus strain in southwestern Paraná, Brazil, presenting mutations previously associated with anti-HBs Resistance

“…However, HBsAg exposure, together with the fact that HBV has a mutation rate ten times higher than that of other DNA viruses 15 , favors the emergence of mutations in the surface (S) gene. Data regarding the primary structure of HBsAg in different regions of the world are important for the understanding of failure of protection with current vaccines 21 .…”