Hepatitis B Viral Drug Resistance And Genotyping

The hepatitis B viral drug resistance and genotyping test is used for the detection of mutations of hepatitis B, also known as the hepatitis B virus (HBV). These mutations may cause resistance to drugs like telbivudine, entecavir, adefovir, lamivudine, and tenofovir.

Hepatitis B is a severe liver infection caused due to HBV. If this infection turns chronic, it may increase the likelihood of liver issues like cancer, cirrhosis, and liver failure. Usually, the administration of vaccines is done to prevent this condition. However, there is no known cure if a patient contracts hepatitis B.

It is an infection that can be caused due to multiple issues. Some of these include:

• Sexual contact, especially having unprotected sexual intercourse with someone infected
• Hereditary, getting passed on from the infected mother to the child during birth
• Using the sample needles for multiple people, as these needles and syringes may be contaminated with infected blood

In addition, healthcare workers are also at an increased risk for hepatitis B since they are in regular contact with human blood.

By performing the hepatitis B viral drug resistance and genotyping test, a doctor can check why dedicated anti-viral agents like lamivudine do not work for the treatment. Due to the nature of the test, it is used after the treatment of hepatitis B has already begun. In addition, it is also used to determine the nature of the mutation.

It is a standard blood test that a clinical lab technician performs. This sample is then sent for analysis after being frozen to check the presence of mutations, if any.

The results of the test may be paradoxical in the case of contaminated species or inappropriate specimens. The presence of inherent PCR inhibitors may also impact the results.

Additionally, the results can be negative if:

• The HBV load is less than 5000 copies per mL
• Presence of HBV sequence divergence preventing the amplification
• The HBV infection is absent

Apollo 24|7 offers a hepatitis B viral drug resistance and genotyping test to help in the effective treatment of the condition. Some of the symptoms associated with hepatitis B are as follows:

• Abdominal pain
• Dark-coloured urine
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes, usually associated with jaundice
• Weakness and fatigue
• Fever

Usually, patients with mutations characteristically develop HBV DNA breakthrough and a rise in alanine transaminase (ALT). In such cases, adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) is usually added to address these mutations and assist in the treatment. 

Medically reviewed by Dr. Shravan Bohra, Gastroenterologist, Apollo Hospitals Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad.