Epidemiology and Genotyping of Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B: Genotype Shifting Observed in Patients from Central Europe
Journal Title: Polish Journal of Microbiology - Year 2015, Vol 64, Issue 1
Abstract
Background: Knowledge on HBV prevalence and genotype distribution in Europe still is hampered by lack of coherent data sampling, small numbers of patients studied so far, and also modern times migration which influences both parameters in a quite dynamic manner. To find out whether HBV prevalence and genotype distribution has undergone any significant changes over the past decades, we have analyzed our cohort of HBV patients. Methods: Retrospective analysis of virological data and correlation with the epidemiological backgroundsof 408 chronically HBV-infected patients, followed in the year 2009 at Tübingen Virus Hepatitis Center, Germany. Results: A background of migration was found in more than 80% of our HBV patients, displaying an origin from 41 different countries. Analysis of the genotypes revealed that genotype A predominated only among patients from Central Europe with 55.8% while genotype D, known to be most common worldwide, was most prevalent in patients born in Eastern and Southern Europe, Central Asia and Middle East, exhibiting a range from 81% to 94%. In Central Europe, genotype A was particularly seen in older patients as compared to genotype D that predominated in the younger patients. Conclusions: These data suggest that Central Europe is straight on its way to switch from genotype A to genotype D. One reason for this significant shift may be related to the ongoing European and global migration flow.
Authors and Affiliations
Alfred Bissinger, Christof Fehrle, Christoph Werner, Ulrich Lauer, Nisar Malek
<strong>Biochemical and Molecular Characterization of Carotenogenic Flavobacterial Isolates from Marine Waters</strong>
Carotenoids are known to possess immense nutraceutical properties and microorganisms are continuously being explored as natural source for production of carotenoids. In this study, pigmented bacteria belonging to [i]Flav...
The Effect of Local Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy on the Composition of Bacterial Flora in Chronic Venous Leg Ulcer
Microbial colonisation of chronic venous ulcers and synergism between bacterial species slow down the healing process. The study aimed at performing qualitative analysis of microbial flora in venous leg ulcers treated wi...
Complex Biochemical Analysis of Fruiting Bodies from Newly Isolated Polish Flammulina velutipes Strains
The present study examined Polish strains of Flamulina velutipes as a potential source of nutraceuticals and found that their nutritional value is dependent on the fruiting bodies gathering time. To prove the above hypot...
Survival of Bacteria in Respiratory Protective Filters
The aim of this study was to estimate the susceptibility of Staphylococcus hominis bacteria to the bacteriostatic agent in respiratory protective filters. Four types of filter media of different characteristics were test...
&lt;strong&gt;Bloodstream Infections due to [i]Enterobacteriacae [/i]Among Neonates in Poland – Molecular Analysis of the Isolates&lt;/strong&gt;
[i]Introduction[/i]: Bloodstream infections (BSIs) are associated with a significantly increased risk of fatality. No report has been found about the molecular epidemiology of Enterobacteriaceae causing BSI in neona...