Molecular Epidemiology and Immunology of Hepatitis B Virus Infection – An Update

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) continues to be one of the most important viral pathogens in humans. This review provides an update on the molecular epidemiology and immunology of HBV infection. DNA sequencing has allowed replacement of the initial serotypic classification of HBV strains by a more systematic genotype system that currently consists of 7 members (genotypes A–G). More recently, sequence analysis of virus isolates from many individual patients has revealed the occurrence of certain mutational hot spots in the genome, some of which appear to correlate with the patient’s immunological and/or disease status; however, cause and effect are not always easily discernible. This holds particula…