New Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Subtypes inside the ad Category

Abstract

In addition to the 10 HBs Ag subtypes already described, 2 new subtypes were defined by using the q determinant. Exceptions to the rule generally accepted were found in that the q determinant was only lacking in HBs Ag/adw4. These exceptions occurred in adw and adr categories. These 2 new subtypes are adw q positive and adr q negative. Out of 98 HBs Ag/adw4 from silent carries and patients from different parts of the world, mainly from France (79), 6 were found q positive. 3 out of these 6 cases came from Montpellier (South of France) and another 3 from Germany. The 92 other cases were found q negative. Further studies will be necessary to better know the location of this new subtype adw4 q positive, but it seems to be present only in certain parts of Europe. Out of 86 HBs Ag/adr from silent carriers from Asia (58), Oceania (17), France (10, most of them contaminated in Asia) and Réunion (1), 10 were found q negative. All these 10 cases were detected in Oceania, 2 out of 2 in carriers from New Caledonia and 8 out of 13 from French Polynesia. The new subtype adr q negative seems localized in Melanesia and Polynesia and absent from Asia. These 2 new markers of hepatitis B virus will allow better epidemiological and geographical studies.

A novel variant genotype C of hepatitis B virus identified in isolates from Australian Aborigines: complete genome sequence and phylogenetic relatedness

“…Nine serological groups have been designated : adw2, adw4, adr, adrq, ayw1, ayw2, ayw3, ayw4 and ayr (Courouce! et al, 1976 ;Courouce! -Pauty et al, 1978).…”

A polymerase chain reaction-based assay to identify genotype F of hepatitis B virus

“…HBV isolates have been classified into 9 serotypes, ayw1, ayw2, ayw3, ayw4, ayr, adw2, adw4, adrq + , and adrq -, according to the antigenic determinants and subdeterminants of their surface antigen (HBsAg) (1). In all serotypes, the common a antigenic determinant is located within domains bordered by amino acids 120 to 147 of HBsAg.…”

Genetic Diversity of HBV Genotypes/ Subgenotypes and Their Correlation with Disease Progression

“…105 The q determinant is originally described to be present in all serological subtypes except adw4, 124 but is later found to be absent from adr strains in Pacific region, thus delineating adr into either q + or q -. 50 Various amino acids differences in the HBsAg have been identified between the different serological subtypes.…”

“…86 HBV genotypes A to G were found, with genotypes A and C the most common in different regions of the United States. 50 Genotypes A, B, C, D and F were observed from volunteer blood donors from two large, regional blood centers in the United States. 137 Genotype D was the most prevalent genotype followed by genotype A in chronically infected patients from Spain.…”