Abstract
The present study aims to diagnose both of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in some blood samples of different areas (Jeddah, Riyadh, Hafer El-Baten and Taif) at KSA and to focus on the genetic variability of the polymerase (poly) gene. Both of HBV and HCV were detected in the collected blood samples using the BIO-ELISA as well as real-time PCR kits specific to both of them. The nucleotide sequences of poly gene of HBV was determined using the DNA extracts of a positive-ELISA sample. Results concluded that three (representing 6.66%) and five (representing 11.11%) blood samples out of the 45 samples were infected with both of HBV and HCV, respectively. Both of HBV-DNA and HCV-RNA were not detected in 100% of blood samples of Hafr El-Batten. Detection of HCV in blood samples via ELISA showed that five blood samples (representing 11.11%) and 40 samples (representing 88.89%) out of the 45 were positive and negative, respectively. Data showed that a total number of three (6.67%) out of the 45 blood samples were positive via PCR detection of HBV-DNA. On the other hand, HBV-DNA was not detected in 93.33%. Results confirmed that the male was more available to be infected with hepatitis viruses than female. Correlation between age and HBV & HCV infection based on real-time PCR in blood samples was discussed. The partial nucleotide sequences of poly gene of HBV-isolate 8 (from Taif) was 676 nucleotides (Accession number LC101676.1) and its analysis gave an open reading frame (ORF) encoding 224 amino acids. Genetic variability between the obtained ORF and those similar strains, recorded in GenBank was addressed.