Published online Aug 21, 2007. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i31.4260
Revised: May 30, 2007
Accepted: June 4, 2007
Published online: August 21, 2007
AIM: To compare the oligonucleotide chip, real-time PCR and sequencing for genotyping of hepatitis B virus in Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis B.
METHODS: Mixture of samples with different genotypes and clinical serum samples from 126 chronic hepatitis B patients was tested for hepatitis B virus genotypes by oligonucleotide chip, real-time PCR and sequencing of PCR products, respectively. Clinical performances, time required and costs of the three assays were evaluated.
RESULTS: Oligonucleotide chips and real-time PCR detected 1% and 0.1% genotypes, respectively, in mixed samples. Of the 126 clinical samples from patients with chronic hepatitis B, genotype B was detected in 41 (33%), 41 (33%) and 45 (36%) samples, and genotype C in 76 (60%), 76 (60%) and 81 (64%) samples, by oligonucleotide chip, real-time PCR and sequencing, respectively. Oligonucleotide chip and real-time PCR detected mixed genotypes B and C in 9 samples. Real-time PCR was the rapidest and cheapest among the three assays.
CONCLUSION: Oligonucleotide chip and real-time PCR are able to detect mixed genotypes, while sequencing only detects the dominant genotype in clinical samples.