Phylogenetic analysis of isolates from new cases of HBV infection in Southern Italy

作者：Ferraro Donatella^*; Urone Noemi; Pizzillo Paola; Gussio Maria; Magliocco Salvatore; Cacopardo Bruno; Craxi Antonio; Di Marco Vito; Di Stefano Rosa

来源：Infection, Genetics and Evolution, 2012, 12(8): 1591-1596.

DOI：10.1016/j.meegid.2012.07.006

• HBV genotypes
• Molecular epidemiology
• Acute HBV infection
• Phylogenetic analysis

The level of endemicity of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections in Italy is low and genotype D infections predominant. New HBV strains may however be introduced as a result of movements of people from regions of high endemicity. The aim of the present study was to determine whether strains from new cases of acute hepatitis B detected in southern Italy were due to endemic or new HBV strains. We studied 34 isolates from patients with acute hepatitis B infection, and 35 from chronic hepatitis B patients. A phylogenetic analysis of preS/S region was done by comparing the sequences from the acute and chronic cases with references sequences. The study showed that 44% of strain from acute hepatitis B patients we%26apos;re of genotype A, 53% of genotype D. and 3% of genotype E. The molecular analysis of isolates from acute hepatitis B patients from Sicily showed a change in the local epidemiology of this infection, with an increase in HBV/A infections and a clustering effect for HBV D2, possibly correlated to immigration. The introduction of new genotypes, could have an effect on HBV-correlated diseases due to the different association between genotype, liver disease and response to antiviral therapy.

• 出版日期2012-12