Abstract

The eight genotypes (designated A-H) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) display distinctive geographical distribution worldwide, with genotypes A, D and F frequently detected in South America. To determine the prevalence of HBV genotypes in Santiago, Chile, 131 samples from chronic carriers were used for PCR amplification, and genotyping was performed by RFLP. The results indicated that genotype F was the most prevalent among HBV carries (84% of the cases), whereas genotypes A, B, C and D were found at a prevalence of 3.8, 3.8, 6.1, and 2.3%, respectively. We discuss these data in the complex scenario of HBV epidemiology. © 2008 Springer-Verlag.