Hepatitis B virus subgenotyping: history, effects of recombination, misclassifications, and corrections

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) has evolved into phylogenetically separable genotypes and subgenotypes. Accurately assigning the subgenotype for an HBV strain is of clinical and epidemiological significance. In this paper, we review the recommendations currently employed for HBV subgenotyping, the history of HBV subgenotyping, the effects of recombination on HBV subgenotyping, misclassifications in HBV subgenotyping, and suggestions are made to correct the misclassifications. Finally, proposals are made to guide future HBV subgenotyping.