Background
/ Aims : Choronic HBV infection is associated with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations, including asymptomatic carrier state, choronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Genotypically, HBV genomes have been calssified into seven groups, designated A to G. Several studies have suggested recently that HBV genotypic difference influence the severity of liver disease and clinical outcomes. The distribution of HBV genotypes in Korea and its clinical relevance are poorly understood. We investigated the prevalence of HBV genotypes in Korea and the association between the distinct genotypes and the severity of liver disease. Methods : A total of 214 HBV-DNA positive serum samples, were used for the genotyping. All patients were HBV-bDNA positive chronic HBsAg carries. 199 patients were histologically verified with liver cirrhosis(6), chronic hepatitis(192) and fatty liver(1). The other patients were clinically diagnosed with liver cirrhosis(13) or hepatocelluar carcinoma(2). HBV genotype was determined by PCR using type-specific primers. Results : Genotyping was possible in all patients. Out of 214 patients, 213(99.5%) were HBV genotype C. Only one(0.5%) was genotype A, The patient with genotype A had minimal hepatitis as diagnosed by liver biopsy. Conclusions : These results indicate that almost all chronic HBV infections are genotype C in Korea. HBV grnoytpic difference therefore dose not influence the clinical outcome of HBV infection in Korea. Because genotype C may be associated with more severe liver disease, the predominance of genotype C in Korea may result in more severe outcomes than in other countries where other genotypes are predominant. (Korean J Hepatol 2001;7 :373 - 380)
