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World J Gastroenterol. Sep 7, 2013; 19(33): 5446-5453
Published online Sep 7, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i33.5446
HBV endemicity in Mexico is associated with HBV genotypes H and G
Sonia Roman, Arturo Panduro
Sonia Roman, Arturo Panduro, Department of Molecular Biology in Medicine, Civil Hospital of Guadalajara, “Fray Antonio Alcalde”, and Health Sciences Center, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44280, Jalisco, Mexico
Author contributions: Roman S and Panduro A contributed equally to this paper.
Supported by National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT-FONDO SECTORIAL, Mexico), Grant No. Salud-2010-1-139085, to Roman S; and Jalisco State Council of Science and Technology (COECYTJAL-Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico), Grant No. 2009-1-06-2009-431, to Panduro A
Correspondence to: Arturo Panduro, MD, PhD, Department of Molecular Biology in Medicine, Civil Hospital of Guadalajara, “Fray Antonio Alcalde”, and Health Sciences Center, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44280, Jalisco, Mexico. apanduro@prodigy.net.mx
Telephone: +52-33-36147743 Fax: +52-33-36147743
Received: May 7, 2013
Revised: June 15, 2013
Accepted: July 18, 2013
Published online: September 7, 2013
Processing time: 125 Days and 1.5 Hours
Core Tip

Core tip: Molecular, clinical, geographical and ethnicity evidence are characteristics that define any hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype. All of these features are there for HBV genotype H, which is most predominant in Mexico, but not in Central America. Likewise, HBV genotype G has unique molecular characteristics and a similar route of transmission among those infected with this viral genotype, but it lacks a geographic origin. To date, despite the high prevalence of HBV genotype G cases from the Americas, especially among Mexicans, the limited number of complete sequences hinders further investigation to establish a hypothesis of an Amerindian origin.