Comparison of nucleotide diversity in acute Vs chronic infection.

<p>Nucleotide diversity in the (A) surface gene, (B) BCP/PC region and (C) X gene has been compared. The nucleotide sequences of the chronic sequences were compared to that of the acute sequences using Shannon’s Entropy. The blue lines indicated the specific positions where changes were noted. The red lines indicate the positions where the frequency of substitution between acute and chronic sequences was significantly different. (D) The average ΔH (average difference in entropy between chronic and acute infection) was highest in the BCP region of the HBV genome. (E) Calculation of genetic diversity at the genotype level showing that the BCP/PC region of genotype C isolates exhibit highest average ΔH.