Researchers Identify a 7th Genotype of HBV

拉米夫定

By Harvey S. Bartnof, MD

A 7th genotype of HBV (hepatitis B virus) has been identified, according to researchers at Pharmasset Inc., in Tucker, Georgia and Emory University. Blood plasma samples from 121 patients with chronic hepatitis B in the US and France were analyzed for genotype.

Each of the following genotypes and percentages were found: HBV genotype

A (54%), genotype

B (3%),

C (12%),

D (19%),

E (1%) and

F (none).

L. Styuyver and colleagues found that 13 or 11% of the patients could not be genotyped. Two of the patients were from France, while 11 were from the US. Further analyses of the 13 samples led to the detection of amino acid (protein building blocks) changes (included insertions and deletions) not found in genotypes A-F.

The researchers have labeled the samples as having a newly discovered genotype G. The results could have implications for treating chronic hepatitis B, if a difference in response to therapy is found among those with the new genotype.