Hepatitis B virus genotypes and hepatitis B surface antigen mutations in family contacts of hepatitis B virus infected patients with occult hepatitis B virus infection.

Background: The association and profile of surface gene mutations with viral genotypes have been studied in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) but not in subjects with occult HBV infection.

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the association of surface gene mutations with viral genotypes in occult HBV infection.

Materials & Methods: Of 293 family contacts of 90 chronic HBV index patients, 110 consented for the study.