Abstract

Background and Aims: Determination of the genotypes and subtypes of hepatitis B virus (HBV) provides epidemiological data, which can contribute further to vaccination and antiviral treatment strategies, diagnostic development, and prediction of the disease course. The aim of this study was to describe the molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of 60 HBV S-region isolated from native Iranian patients with chronic HBV infection. Methods: HBV-positive sera were collected from Iranian patients with hepatitis B infection in Tehran Hepatitis Center. HBV-DNA was extracted and the partial HBV S ORF (677bp) were chosen for amplification and sequencing. Results: By comparing the sequences of HBV isolated from Iranian patients with 50 complete sequences of HBV retrieved from the GenBank database, representing all other existing genotypes, the sequences of all 60 patients were consistent with that of genotype D. All HBV isolates from Iranian patients were clustered in genotype D branch with high bootstrap values. Conclusions: Sixty HBV isolates from Iranian patients with chronic hepatitis B represent homogenous genotypic diversity. These sequences of Iranian HBV genomes may contribute to the information on the genetic diversity of HBV worldwide.