Hepatitis B Virus Genotype G Infection in a Turkish Patient Undergoing Hemodialysis Therapy

BACKGROUND: Genotype G is the least common of all the hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes. The existence of the genotype G strain of HBV was first noted in 2000 and little information is available on its global geographical distribution. Previous studies have demonstrated the dominance of genotype D in patients with HBV infections in Turkey. OBJECTIVES: To report for the first time in Turkey, the case of a 61 year old male patient who developed the HBV genotype G infection. CASE REPORT: According to HBV genotyping using phylogenetic analysis and an INNO-LiPA assay, the patient was infected with genotype G and G+A, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The present clinical study suggests that the transmission of an HBV genotype other than genotype D, namely HBV genotype G, is possible in Turkey. Epidemiological and clinical information on genotype G infection is currently limited, and this is most likely due to its low prevalence throughout the world. Therefore, it may be important to determine the epidemiologic and molecular characteristics of the HBV genotype G as it relates to chronic hepatitis, to enable better understanding of its circulation and progression around the world.