Prothrombin G20210A gene variant has been found in 0-23% of patients with portal vein thrombosis (PVT). This wide variation makes it difficult to assess the importance of prothrombin G20210A gene variant as a predisposing factor for PVT. In this study from South India, none of the patients with idiopathic PVT (0/38) or any of the controls (0/46) had prothrombin G20210A gene variant. Prothrombin G20210A gene variant does not contribute to the development of PVT in India.