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Background CoronaVac, an inactivated whole-virion SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, has been shown to be well tolerated with a good safety profile in individuals aged 18 years and older in phase 1/2 trials, and provided a good humoral response against SARS-CoV-2. We present the interim efficacy and safety results of a phase 3 clinical trial of CoronaVac in Turkey. Methods This was a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial. Volunteers aged 18-59 years with no history of COVID-19 and with negative PCR and antibody test results for SARS-CoV-2 were enrolled at 24 centres in Turkey. Exclusion criteria included (but were not limited to) immunosuppressive therapy (including steroids) within the past 6 months, bleeding disorders, asplenia, and receipt of any blood products or immunoglobulins within the past 3 months. The K1 cohort consisted of health-care workers (randomised in a 1:1 ratio), and individuals other than health-care workers were also recruited into the K2 cohort (randomised in a 2:1 ratio) using an interactive web response system. The study vaccine was 3 mu g inactivated SARS-CoV-2 virion adsorbed to aluminium hydroxide in a 0.5 mL aqueous suspension. Participants received either vaccine or placebo (consisting of all vaccine components except inactivated virus) intramuscularly on days 0 and 14. The primary efficacy outcome was the prevention of PCR-confirmed symptomatic COVID-19 at least 14 days after the second dose in the per protocol population. Safety analyses were done in the intention-to-treat population. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04582344) and is active but no longer recruiting. Findings Among 11 303 volunteers screened between Sept 14, 2020, and Jan 5, 2021, 10 218 were randomly allocated. After exclusion of four participants from the vaccine group because of protocol deviations, the intention-to-treat group consisted of 10 214 participants (6646 [65.1%] in the vaccine group and 3568 [34.9%] in the placebo group) and the per protocol group consisted of 10 029 participants (6559 [65.4%] and 3470 [34.6%]) who received two doses of vaccine or placebo. During a median follow-up period of 43 days (IQR 36-48), nine cases of PCR-confirmed symptomatic COVID-19 were reported in the vaccine group (31.7 cases [14.6-59.3] per 1000 person-years) and 32 cases were reported in the placebo group (192.3 cases [135.7-261.1] per 1000 person-years) 14 days or more after the second dose, yielding a vaccine efficacy of 83.5% (95% CI 65.4-92.1; p, TUSEB, We are grateful to all participants who volunteered to be part of this study and to all members of the clinical research teams of the participating sites. We thank TUSEB for funding the study and Omega-CRO for the statistical analyses and production of figures, and providing the study protocol. We also thank the members of the data and safety monitoring board for their contributions in the safe execution of this study.

Objective: Although Covid-19 which has been identified as the disease caused by SARS COV-2 virus mainly affects the respiratory tract, it was observed that many systems were affected. The gastrointestinal system is one of the main systems involved. The aim of this manuscript was to perform epidemiological, virological, and clinical analysis of 59 Covid 19-positive patients with gastrointestinal symptoms. Method: Covid-19 diagnosed patients have been started to be admitted since March, 20, 2020. Epidemiological, demographical, clinical findings, laboratory analyses as well as hospitalization periods and disease progression of the patients presenting gastrointestinal system (GIS) symptoms admitted between March, 31, 2020 and August, 1, 2020. Results: Totally 710 Covid 19-positive patients hospitalized were screened. Among these patients, those with incomplete medical history and deficient data were excluded. The analysis of 281 patients admitted due to Covid-19 diagnosis with complete data since admission revealed that 59 patients presented GIS symptoms at admission. The aforesaid patients were compared with 222 patients admitted due to Covid-19 without GIS symptoms within the same period. GIS symptoms were detected on 59 (59/281) (20.99%) patients admitted due to Covid-19. Detailed review of these patients revealed that 18 (18/59) (30.50%) patients had nausea-vomiting, 10 (10/59) (16.95%) patients had abdominal pain, and 31 (31/59) (52.55%) patients had GIS bleeding. It was observed that vomiting was added into the clinical presentation in 7 of 18 patients. Although there is not any diarrhea symptom alone, total number of cases with diarrhea+abdominal pain, diarrhea+nausea-vomiting, diarrhea+nausea-vomiting+abdominal pain was 17 (17/59) (28.81%) of 59 patients. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, we have found 20.99% gi symptoms in the hospitalizated patients due to Covid 19. Although GIS symptoms are not associated with disease severity, they are important for the identification and spread of the disease, along with respiratory symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: Infective endocarditis (IE) is defined as infection of the endocardial surface of the heart. Updates are needed in the diagnosis and treatment of IE, as well as in animal models of IE. Based on this need, a new model of infective endocarditis induced by S. aureus was described in our study. METHODS: This study was performed on 7 Wistar albino male rats, each aged six months and weighing 250-300 g. Underwent the surgical implantation of a 20 G catheter, to gain access to right common carotid artery. Twenty-four hours after implantation, 0.5 ml 100.000 colony forming unit (cfu) of S. aureus was injected via the tail vein and 3 days later echocardiography was performed and rats subsequently sacrificed. IE was later diagnosed histopathologically. RESULTS: Two of the rats were exitus one day after S. auerus was given. The mortality rate of the experiment was 28.5%. Histopathological examination revealed vegetations and bacterial colonization were detected in the endocardium in all rats that protruded from the endocardium to the cardiac cavity. CONCLUSION: Our study is the first study in the literature to identify the IE rat model using the 20 G catheter. Due to the practical application of the surgical procedure (use of 20 G catheter) in our study, we think that it will provide much convenience to the researchers in the experimental research on IE diagnosis and treatment.

Amaç: Bruselloz dünyada en sık görülen bakteriyel zoonotik enfeksiyon hastalığıdır. Çalışmamızda hastalığın endemik olarak görüldüğü Güneydoğu Anadolu bölgesinde ikinci basamak bir hastaneye başvuran ve bruselloz tanısı ile takip edilen 111 bruselloz olgusunun değerlendirilmesi amaçlandı. Yöntem: Çalışmada ikinci basamak bir hastanenin Enfeksiyon Hastalıkları ve Klinik Mikrobiyoloji polikliniğine Aralık 2018 – Aralık 2019 tarihleri arasında başvuran bruselloz tanısı ile ayaktan veya yatarak takip edilen 111 olgunun demografik özellikleri, klinik bulguları, olası bulaş yolları, tedavi rejimleri, komplikasyon verileri ve relaps oranları retrospektif olarak incelendi. Bulgular: Hastaların 77’si (%69.3) kadın ve olguların yaş ortalaması 36.4 (yaş aralığı 14-94) idi. Meslek dağılımı açısından, hastaların 69’u (%62.1) ev hanımıydı, 17’si (%15.3) hayvancılıkla uğraşmaktaydı. Olguların 88’inde (%79.2) taze peynir yeme öyküsü vardı. Hastalarda en sık görülen semptomlar, halsizlik (%92.7) ve artralji (%87.3) olarak saptandı. Çalışmaya alınan hastalarda CRP yüksekliği %39.6, anemi %37.8 oranı ile en sık görülen laboratuvar bulguları olarak tespit edildi. Etkilenen organ ve sistemler incelendiğinde olguların 49’unda (%44) hematolojik tutulum, 23’ünde (%20.7) karaciğer tutulumu, 11’inde (%10) osteoartiküler tutulum görüldü. Bir (%0.9) hastada brusellozun nadir bir komplikasyonu olarak izole perikardit, bir (%0.9) hastada da brusella epididimoorşiti saptandı. Çalışmaya dahil edilen hastaların 12’sinde (%10.3) tedavileri bittikten sonraki bir yıllık izlemde relaps saptandı. Sonuç: Bruselloz birçok organ ve dokuyu etkileyebilmektedir. Bu nedenle çok değişik klinik belirti ve bulgularla ortaya çıkabilmekte ve birçok hastalıkla karışabilmektedir. Endemik bölgelerde yaşayan nonspesifik semptom ve bulgular ile başvuran hastalar mutlaka bruselloz açısından değerlendirilmelidir., Aim: Brucellosis is the most common bacterial zoonotic infection disease in the world. In our study, we aimed to evaluate 111 brucellosis cases who were admitted to a secondary-line hospital by followed up with the diagnosis of brucellosis in the Southeastern Anatolia region where the disease was seen as endemic. Method: In this study, demographic characteristics, clinical findings, possible transmission routes, treatment regimens, complication data and relapse rates of 111 patients who were admitted to an infectious diseases and clinical microbiology clinic of a second-line hospital between December 2018 and December 2019 were examined retrospectively. Results: Seventy-seven of the patients (69.3%) were female and the mean age of the patients was 36.4 (age range 14-94). In terms of profession distribution, 69 (62.1%) of the patients were housewives, 17 (15.3%) of the patients were engaged in animal husbandry. There was a history of eating fresh cheese in 88 (79.2%) patients. The most common symptoms of the patients were malaise (92.7%) and arthralgia (87.3%). The most common laboratory findings in patients included in the study were 39.6% CRP elevation and 37.8% anemia. When the affected organs and systems are examined, hematological involvement was observed in 49 (44%) patients, liver involvement in 23 (20.7%) patients, osteoarticular involvement in 11 (10%) patients. There was found to one patient (0.9%) had isolated pericarditis that was a rare complication of brucellosis, and brucella epididymoorchitis in one (0.9%) patient. In the one-year follow-up after treatment, relapses were detected in 12 patients (10.3%). Conclusion: Brucellosis can affect many organs and tissues. For this reason, it can appear with many different clinical signs and symptoms and can be confused with many diseases. In patients presenting with nonspecific symptoms and signs, who were living in endemic regions, brucellosis infection should definitely be considered, and patients should be evaluated for brucellosis.

Objectives:Infections caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) represent a significant health problem. Co-infection with these viral agents is not uncommon as a result of the similar transmission routes. Our study was planned to investigate the prevalence of HBV and HCV infections in HIV/Acquired Immune Deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients followed up at our institution.Materials and Methods:In this study conducted in the Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology at Izmir Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, medical records of patients followed at the HIV/AIDS outpatient clinic between August 2002 and December 2014 were evaluated. Demographic data, main route of HIV transmission, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-hepatitis B core (HBc) immunoglobulin G (IgG), anti-HBs and anti-HCV results were evaluated.Results:A total of 157 treatment-naïve patients who were followed up at our HIV/AIDS outpatient clinic were included in this study. Four patients (2.6%), had HBsAg positivity. Anti-HBc IgG and anti-HBs positivity were detected in 34% and 28.4% of the patients, respectively. No patients had anti-HCV positivity.Conclusion:The prevalence of HBsAg in HIV-positive individuals was found to be similar to that in other population-based studies in our country. Absence of anti-HCV positivity suggests that hepatitis C infection is not a major health problem in this population.

Summary Objectives This study was conducted to determine intensive care nurses’ knowledge and practice levels regarding open system endotracheal suctioning and to investigate if there is a relationship between nurses’ demographic characteristics and their knowledge and practice. Research methodology/design The study was conducted as a cross-sectional and non-participant structured observational design. Data were collected using a 45-item structured and self-administered questionnaire and a 31-item observational checklist. The study sample included 72 nurses. Setting Three adult intensive care units in a teaching hospital. Results The nurses’ mean scores of knowledge and practice were 23.79 ± 3.83 and 12.88 ± 2.53. Their level of knowledge was very good in 59.7%, good in 34.7%, and the level of practice was fair in 79.2% and good in 18.1%. The relationship between the type of unit and the nurses’ knowledge scores was statistically significant (p = 0.013). The correlation between the nurses’ scores of knowledge and practice was not statistically significant (r = 0.220; p = 0.063). Conclusion This study suggests that the knowledge level of most of the nurses was good and their practice level was fair. Intensive care nurses must perform suctioning procedures safely and effectively to ensure delivery of quality of care and eliminate complications.

Background and Aim: Hepatitis C virus transmission continues to be a significant public health concern in patients undergoing hemodialysis and occasionally causes outbreaks despite risk reduction after the anti-HCV screening. This study aimed to investigate an outbreak of hepatitis C virus in the hemodialysis unit to identify the infection source and underline lapses in the infection control practices. Material and Methods: Patients and staff were assessed for hepatitis C virus infection after the outbreak. All anti‐HCV-positive patients were tested for genotype or subtypes by performing a phylogenetic analysis of NS3 sequences. The current infection control applications and possible risk factors in the unit were examined to determine the source of infection. Results: Overall, 115 patients, including three patients who were followed up for chronic hepatitis C infection, were evaluated. Anti‐HCV seroconversion was detected in 10 new patients. All patients were in the same room and during the same shift. Several lapses in infection control practices were observed. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the outbreak was caused by the same viral strain. Notably, all patients were infected with genotype 1a, and mutations in the NS3 region, subgenotype, and drug resistance were identical to one of the three patients with chronic hepatitis C. Conclusion: Direct observation and molecular test results indicated a transmission from patient to patient, thereby highlighting the importance of infection control.

Introduction: After introduction of highly active anti-retroviral treatment (HAART), the mortality and morbidity rates among HIV/AIDS patients have been reduced. CD4+ T cell and HIV RNA measurement is important in the follow-up during the treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate three different ART regimens in terms of immunological and virological response. Materials and Methods: The study was designed as a retrospective cohort study. Treatment-naive adult HIV/AIDS patients who applied to our outpatient clinic between 2011 and 2017 were included in this study. Treatment regimens included two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI) with either one of a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) or integrase inhibitor (INI) or protease inhibitor (PI). CD4+ T cell counts and HIV RNA levels were analysed at 1st month, 3rd month, 6th month and 12th month. Results: Sixty-three patients (87% were male) aged 43±13 (min 19, max 66 ) years were included in this study. Fourteen (22.2%) received NRTI and INI treatment (INI group), 18 (28.6%) received NRTI and PI (PI group) and 31 (49.2%) received NRTI and NNRTI (NNRTI group). Immunologically, the PI group was the most successful while NNRTI group was the least successful. INI group had significantly higher immunological response rate than NNRTI group in the first three months. The treatment was more successful in INI group in terms of virological response than in PI and NNRTI groups in the first three months. However, at the end of 6 and 12 months, no statistically significant difference was observed between the groups, neither immunologically nor virologically. Conclusion: Our results have shown that all regimens were effective at the end of 12 months. Among the combinations available, the most appropriate one should be selected individually.

WOS: 000419992100003, Introduction: BK virus (BKV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections are common in renal transplant patients. In this retrospective study, we investigated the frequency of BKV and CMV infections and their effects on graft. Materials and Methods: The data of 118 renal transplant recipients who were transplanted and followed-up between January 2010 and January 2011 were reviewed. Demographic characteristics, biochemical data, BKV and CMV DNA levels by polymerase chain reaction (QIAGEN, Hilden, Germany) were investigated. The patients were followed- up monthly in the first six months and then every three months. Results: A total of 118 patients were included in the study. BK viraemia was detected in 12 (10.2%) patients and the DNA level of BKV was >10(4) copies/mL in five cases. Three patients with elevated creatinine and compatible renal biopsy findings were considered to have BKV-associated nephropathy (BKVAN). With the reduction of immunosuppressive treatment, viraemia was reduced and creatinine levels decreased within normal levels. Cytomegalovirus DNA was found to be positive in 23 (19.5%) patients, and was >500 copies/mL in 4 (3.4%) patients. The viraemia in these four patients has decreased after antiviral therapy. No CMV related disease were found in any of the patients. Cytomegalovirus DNA positivity at low levels were also detected in three patients who were diagnosed with BKVAN. None of the patients developed rejection. Conclusion: BK and CMV infections in kidney transplant patients are common and can be seen together. However, graft dysfunction and rejection rates are low with close monitoring, early diagnosis and treatment. Randomized, controlled studies with larger patient groups are necessary in order to determine the viral threshold levels associated with graft dysfunction or rejection, to decide the optimal management and to explain the role of concomitant infection.

Plasmodium falciparum may cause serious and sometimes even fatal cerebral malaria. Cerebral malaria is a disease characterized by alterations in consciousness and epileptic attacks; therefore, it requires a rapid evaluation and quick intervention. It may progress to a fatal outcome despite administering targeted therapeutic interventions. There are studies indicating that erythrocyte exchange (erythrocytapheresis) can be a treatment modality for managing severe malaria patients. In this case report, the successful management of a cerebral malaria patient by the combination of antimalarial drug therapy and erythrocyte exchange is presented.

Ad dress for Cor res pon den ce: Gulsun Cavdar MD, Tepecik Education and Research Hospital, Clinic of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Izmir, Turkey Gsm: +90 506 503 56 19 E-mail: gakincioglu@hotmail.com Re cei ved: 05.12.2013 Ac cep ted: 20.12.2013 Viral Hepatitis Journal, pub lis hed by Ga le nos Pub lis hing. Sukran Kose, suheyla serin senGer, Gulsun cAVDAr, Pelin ADAr Tepecik Education and Research Hospital, Clinic of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Izmir, Turkey Research Article

Summary Blood/injury phobia is one of the specific phobias. The aim of this study was to determine the fear of injection and blood in patients and healthy people. This study was carried out at Tepecik Hospital, Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory and Blood Center. Data were collected from 1500 adults who agreed to participate in the study (237 patients with chronic diseases and 1263 healthy people) during the period from January 2003 to February 2005. All participants completed two self-administered questionnaires (17-item Symptom Questionnaire and 20-item Blood/Injection Fear Scale) after giving blood samples by blood donation. 30.1% of the patients and 19.5% of the healthy adults reported that they had fear of blood/injection. Symptoms related to having blood drawn or injection were more frequently reported among women than men. Patients’ educational level was also associated with the Symptom Questionnaire and fear of blood/injection scores. Fear of blood/injection was significantly higher in patients with chronic diseases. Fear of blood/injection should be considered by healthcare professionals as it is important for assessing the treatment-seeking individuals.

Interferons (IFNs) are immunomodulatory and antiviral agents used in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B and C. Development of acute pancreatitis is a very rare complication seen during IFN (pegylated or standard) treatment in chronic viral hepatitis. In this report, we present a 50-year-old patient with chronic renal insufficiency and chronic hepatitis B who developed acute pancreatitis during treatment with peg-IFN alpha-2a.

OZET Kan Merkezimize Basvuran Gonullu Kan Bagiscilarinda Alti Yillik HBV, HCV, HIV ve Sifiliz Seropozitifliginin Degerlendirilmesi Amac: Alti yil icinde kan hizmet birimimizde kan bagisi yapan gonullu bagiscilarda saptanan mikrobiyolojik tarama testlerindeki pozitiflik oraninin ulkemiz ortalamalari ile karsilastirilmasidir. Gerec ve Yontemler: Bu kesitsel calismaya 2007-2013 yillari arasinda kan merkezimize basvuran 45.632 gonullu kan donoru alinmistir. Gonullu donorlerden alinan her ornekten HBsAg, Anti HCV ve Anti HIV 1-2 testleri kemiluminesan mikropartikul enzim immunoassay (CMIA) yontemi ile calisilmistir. Sifiliz icin taramada ilk dort yilda nontreponemal karbon slide testi, son iki yilda ise CMIA temeline dayali bir treponemal test (Architect Syphilis TP; Abbott) kullanilmistir. Bulgular: Tum bagiscilarin 743’unde (%1,62) tarama testlerinden biri pozitif bulunmustur. HBsAg, Anti-HCV, Sifiliz ve Anti-HIV 1, 2 seropozitiflikleri sirasiyla %1,01, %0,51, %0,09, %0,004 olarak saptanmistir. Sonuc: Saptadigimiz oranlar ulkemiz genelinde Viral Hepatit Savasim Dernegi’nin calismalarina gore bulunan HBsAg seropozitifligine gore dusuk, Anti-HCV seropozifligine gore ise benzer bulunurken, sifiliz ve anti-HIV seropozitiflik oranlari ulkemizde yapilan degisik calismalarla uyumlu olarak bulunmustur. Anahtar Kelimeler: kan bagiscilari, HBsAg, anti-HCV, anti-HIV, RPR Cikar catismasi: Yazarlar bu makale ile ilgili olarak herhangi bir cikar catismasi bildirmemislerdir. Objective: To compare the seropositivity rates detected by microbiologic screening tests performed in a six-year period in volunteer blood donors in our blood center with the rates in the general population in Turkey. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 45.632 volunteer blood donors who attended our blood center between 2007 and 2013. Each sample from volunteer donors was tested for HBsAg, anti-HCV, and anti-HIV 1 and 2 by the chemiluminescent microparticle enzyme immunoassay (CMIA) method. The screening for syphilis was done by a nontreponemal test for the first four years and, then, by CMIA-based treponemal test (Architect Syphilis TP; Abbott) for the last two years. Results: Out of all donors, 743 (1.62%) was found to be positive for at least one screening test. Seropositivity rates for HBsAg, Anti-HCV, anti-HIV 1, 2, and syphilis were 1.01%, 0.51%, 0.09%, and 0.004%, respectively. Conclusion: The rate of HbsAg positivity was low compared to that in the general population reported by the National Viral Hepatitis Prevention Association. The anti-HCV, syphilis, and anti-HIV positivity rates found in this study were compatible with the results of the studies performed on the general population.

Amaç: HIV/AIDS hastalarının ve yakınlarının hastalığın yaşamlarını nasıl etkilediğinin ve damgalanma deneyimlerinin saptanmasıdır. Gereç ve Yöntem: Çalışma İzmir’de yer alan üç devlet hastanesinin katılımı ile gerçekleştirilmiştir. Altı odak görüşmesi 32 HIV/AIDS hastası ve 11 yakınının katımı ile gerçekleştirilmiştir. Ayrıca katılımcılar HIV/AIDS hastalığı ve damgalanma hakkında soruları içeren bir anket formunu tamamlamışlardır. Bulgular: Odak grup görüşmelerinin sonuçlarına göre hasta ve yakınlarının belirttiği en önemli sorunlar, toplumla ilgili sosyal problemler, damgalanma ve sağlık hizmetlerine erişimdir. Hasta ve yakınlarının hastalık hakkında bilgilerinin de yetersiz, ayrımcılık konusunda duyarlı olduğu saptanmıştır. Sonuç: HIV pozitif hasta ve yakınlarının desteklenmesi ve eğitilmeleri gerektiği belirlenmiştir. Hastaları izleyen sağlık personelinin daha fazla çaba göstermesi gerekmektedir., Objective: the aim of this study was to describe how AIDS, as well as the stigma associated with it, affects the lives of HIV positive patients and their family members. Materials and Methods: Three large state hospitals in the metropolitan area of Izmir participated in the study. Six focus groups were conducted with people infected with HIV (n=32) and their family members (n=11). Participants were asked to fill out a questionnaire to assess their HIV/AIDS knowledge and to convey how the stigma had affected them. Results: the most important problems identified were society and work-related social problems and access to health services. the patients and their family members stated that education was needed to correct misconceptions about HIV and to help them cope with related problems. We found that patients and their family members were sensitive about disclosure. Conclusion: We determined the education, counseling and support needs of HIV-infected patients and their families. Additionally, we found that health personnel who monitor the patients should make more efforts on patients‘ education and counselling.

Objective Long-term lamivudine (LAM) and adefovir (ADV) treatment has been found to induce the emergence of drug-resistant hepatitis B virus (HBV) in a significant number of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection. The aim of our study was to evaluate the LAM and ADV mutations detected in our patient group. Materials and methods Twenty-four patients diagnosed with CHB were enrolled in this study. The patient group consisted of those who had received 6 months of treatment with interferon-α and who did not response to this therapy. Patients were evaluated based on virologic and serologic response to therapy, and were classified as responders or non-responders. The treatment of non-responders continued with LAM (3mg/kg/d, maximum 100mg/d). Due to a lack of response to treatment, ADV (10mg/g) was added to the treatment regimen of eight young adult patients. The mutations associated with HBV drug resistance were investigated using reverse hybridization methods and PCR. Results The mutation studies indicated that 14 (58.4%) of the patients had resistance. Three patients developed ADV-associated mutations (A181T), one after 18 months of ADV; the other two had undergone 18 and 36 months of LAM therapy without ADV exposure. Although the average LAM treatment period of the patients with LAM resistance was longer than for those in whom no resistance was detected, no statistically significant difference was found. Conclusions HBV treatment with nucleoside analogues results in the development of mutant strains, leading to drug resistance. Therefore genotypic resistance testing is important in planning and monitoring HBV treatment.