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A pediatric case of hepatitis B virus subgenotype A2 in Japan

Clinical Journal of Gastroenterology volume 6, pages 383–385 (2013)Cite this article

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) has been classified into 10 major genotypes, and HBV genotypes C and B are found in the majority of Japanese patients. However, the prevalence of genotype A has been increasing in patients with chronic or acute hepatitis. Here we report a pediatric case of HBV subgenotype A2. A 2-year-old girl was referred to our hospital for liver damage caused by HBV infection. During the pregnancy, her father had developed acute sporadic hepatitis B. The child was born without any complications. She did not receive HBV vaccination at birth because her mother was negative for HBs antigen at the pre-delivery screening; however, her mother developed acute hepatitis B 2 months after delivery. At that time, HBs antigen was detected in the current patient. Phylogenetic full-length sequence analysis revealed HBV subgenotype A2. HBV sequencing was not performed for her parents; therefore, the intrafamilial transmission routes in these cases are unclear, although the authors speculate that, for the current patient, mother-to-child transmission may have occurred. This report illustrates the pitfalls of the selective vaccination strategy in Japan for preventing HBV infection. Universal vaccination to prevent HBV infection might be useful in Japan.

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Conflict of interest

Hidemi Goto received a research grant from Astra Zenaca, Astellas Pharma, Ajinomoto Pharmaceutical Co., Bristol-Myers Squibb, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Daiichi Sankyo, Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma, Eisai, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma, MSD, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. and Takeda Pharmaceutical Co.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsuruma-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan

    Kazuhiko Hayashi, Masatoshi Ishigami, Yoji Ishizu, Teiji Kuzuya, Takashi Honda, Akihiro Itoh, Yoshiki Hirooka, Tetsuya Ishikawa, Isao Nakano & Hidemi Goto

  2. Department of Pediatrics, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsuruma-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan

    Yoshinori Ito

  3. Department of Virology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsuruma-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan

    Hiroshi Kimura

  4. Department of Internal Medicine, Banbuntane Hotokukai Hospital, Fujita Health University, School of Medicine, 3-6-10 Otobashi, Nakagawa-ku, Nagoya, 454-8509, Japan

    Yoshiaki Katano

Authors
  1. Kazuhiko Hayashi
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  2. Masatoshi Ishigami
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  3. Yoji Ishizu
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  4. Teiji Kuzuya
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  5. Takashi Honda
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  6. Akihiro Itoh
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  7. Yoshiki Hirooka
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  8. Tetsuya Ishikawa
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  9. Isao Nakano
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  10. Yoshinori Ito
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  11. Hiroshi Kimura
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  12. Yoshiaki Katano
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  13. Hidemi Goto
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Masatoshi Ishigami.

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Hayashi, K., Ishigami, M., Ishizu, Y. et al. A pediatric case of hepatitis B virus subgenotype A2 in Japan. Clin J Gastroenterol 6, 383–385 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12328-013-0402-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12328-013-0402-1

Keywords

  • Hepatitis B virus
  • HBV genotype A
  • Universal vaccination