[A mutation specific polymerase chain reaction for detecting hepatitis B virus genome with A-to-C mutation at nt585].

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) nt585 A-to-C mutants in China.

Methods: A mutation specific polymerase chain reaction (msPCR) was established for amplifying HBV DNAs with A-to-C mutation at nt585. Two sets of primer pairs with same sequences except for one base at 3' terminus were designed and synthesized according to 48 of the known HBV genome sequences and the popular HBV subtypes, adr and adw, in China.

Results: 57 of HBV S gene fragments amplified by a nested PCR from different and child adult hepatitis B patients were characterized by using the msPCR. It was shown that HBV mutants with A-to-C mutation at nt585 could be confirmed.

Conclusion: The msPCR is a specific and sensitive method for detecting the HBV nt585 A-to-C mutants.