To analyze the correlation of hepatocellular carcinoma with hepatitis B virus genotype, subgenotype, or mutation, so as to provide a scientific basis for the prevention of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Totally four patients with HBV associated primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC) were collected in this study. HBV DNA was tested by qRT-PCR. HBeAg was tested by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. HBV genotypes were determined by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism. HBV subgenotypes were determined by nested PCR. HBV DNA mutations were determined by PCR or direct sequencing.

Among the four patients with PHC, the positive rate of HBeAg was 75%. HBV DNA quantitative detection was positive in three patients (2.03×10⁵ IU/mL, 2.56×10⁶ IU/mL, and 3.12×10⁵ IU/mL), and one case was HBV DNA negative. The detected genotypes included type B in one case (subtype B2) and type C in three cases, among which one was subtype C1 and two were subtype C2. Thus, in PHC patients, the main genotype and subgenotype were C and C2, respectively.

HBV genotypes, especially genotype C and subgenotype C2 variants, may be risk factors for the development of PHC. The gene mutations of HBV DNA may be closely related to the occurrence and development of PHC.