COMPLETE GENOME SEQUENCES AND PHYLOGENETIC ANALYSIS OF HEPATITIS B VIRUS ISOLATES FROM SERBIA

Although the genotype and subgenotype distribution of HBV isolates from Serbia has previously been reported, data about whole genome sequences from this area are scarce. This study included plasma samples from 5 chronically infected patients. Full genome amplification of the HBV isolates was performed by nested-PCR using 7 primer pairs, and the whole genome nucleotide sequences were obtained by direct sequencing. Two complete genome sequences belonged to D2 subgenotype (ayw3 HBsAg subtype), one to D1 (ayw2) and two to A2 (adw2). All 5 Serbian isolates clustered with sequences from the expected geographic regions and had nucleotide and coded protein length in accordance to their assigned genotypes, except for one HBeAg-negative isolate displaying G1896A mutation leading to a premature stop codon in the Pre-C region. The first complete genome sequences of HBV D1, D2 and A2 subgenotypes from Serbian patients showed characteristics similar to the nucleotide sequences of HBV isolates from other European and Middle East countries.