Abstract: Objective To explore the prevalence of hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection in Yao population in Ruyuan area of Guangdong province and to investigate the correlation between HBV genotypes and clinical disease spectrum.Methods Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to detect HBV markers of 665 Yao and 589 Han residents. Microboard nucleate molecular hybridization ELISA was used to detect HBV genotype among 97 cases with different clinical types of HBV infection.Results The HBsAg positive rate of Yao population(20.3%)was higher than that of Han population(13.4%)and a significant higher rate was found in the males than in the females(25.81% vs 13.22%,P<0.05). Among the 97 HBV patients of Yao,genotype B took up the highest proportion(52.58%,51/97),followed by genotype C (36.08%,35/97).Totally 7 cases of mixed genotype(4 cases of B/C,3 cases of C/D,2 cases of genotype A and D)were detected.The proportion of genotype B was higher than that of genotype C(52.94% vs 25.71%,P<0.05)in asymptomatic carriers,whereas genotype C was higher than genotype B(62.85% vs 27.45%,P<0.05)in mild or moderate chronic hepatitis B.There were no significant differences in HBV infection of other clinical types.Conclusion The HBsAg positive rate of male Yao persons in Ruyuan was higher than that of Han population.Genotype B was the main type of HBV in the area,followed by genotype C.No genotype E or F was detected.