Abstract: Objective To investigate the epidemic of HBV genotypes among HBV-infected persons in Beijing.Methods Ten outer and inner primers were designed on the basis of the conserved nature of nucleotide sequences in regions of the Pre-S1 through S genes, in which 8 inner primers were divided into mix A and B to amplify HBV OF genotype A, B,C and D, E, F respectively. Genotypes of HBV were determined directly by the size of PCR products.Results The HBV DNA in 728 sera samples collected from HBV-infected patients with different outcome were tested and genotyped by this nested PCR. 276 samples (37.9%) were HBV DNA positive. 5.8%(14/243) self-limited HBV-infected patients were HBV-DNA positive, while chronic asymptomatic HBV carriers 42.6%(113/265), chronic viral hepatitis 67.7%(149/220)respectively. There was significant difference between the chronic viral hepatitis and the other two groups. Among the 276 HBV DNA positive samples, the percentage of genotype C was 76.8%, type B 21.7%, mixed genotype B and genotype C 1.5%, while none of genotype A,D,E and F had been found.Conclusion The HBV genotypes prevailed among HBV-infected persons in Beijing are genotype B and C, and the major genotype is genotype C. There is no statistical difference between the groups.

Key words: hepatitis virus B, genotype, PCR with genotype-specific primers