Genotype <scp>I</scp> of hepatitis <scp>B</scp> virus was found in east <scp>X</scp>ishuangbanna, <scp>C</scp>hina and molecular dynamics of <scp>HBV</scp>/I

Abstract

Summary There is a dearth of data about the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in M engla, C hina; and no detailed analysis of the molecular evolution of genotype I in A sia. In this study, 909 serum samples from ethnic minority people in C hina were obtained. Serological assay and HBV S‐gene amplification were carried out, and phylogenetic and evolutionary dynamics analysis of 62 HBV /I S‐gene was performed. On this survey, 153 individuals were tested HBsA g‐positive. Genotypes of S‐gene were classified into three groups: C, B and I. Under the strict model and the relax model, the estimated evolutionary rates for HBV /I were 3.74 × 10 −4 and 6.93 × 10 −4 substitution/site/year, respectively. However, when the geographic origin was taken into account, the mean substitution rates were increased. Estimated time to most recent ancestor of genotype I varied from ~30 to ~70 years ago. The B ayesian sky plot showed a rapid spread of HBV /I at the end of 1980s. Peculiar nucleotides distributed were observed in the subgenotype I1/I2. In conclusion, higher prevalence of HBV infection was observed in M engla county. Multifactors like timescale and spatial locations should be integrated to provide a better interpretation of the HBV /I evolutionary history in the region.