9 research outputs found
Hepatitis B infection among HIV infected individuals in Gabon: Occult hepatitis B enhances HBV DNA prevalence
<div><p>In Gabon, a central African country, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) are endemic. In a recent study, conducted in a semi-urban area (Franceville, Gabon), HBV infection was found to be more prevalent among HIV infected individuals. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and genetic diversity of hepatitis B virus infection among HIV infected individuals, predominantly under antiretroviral therapy, living in fully urbanized area: Libreville, capital of Gabon. Serological and molecular tests were performed to detect HBV infection among patients living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA). We used Monolisa HBsAg ULTRA, Anti-HBc Plus and Anti-HBs Plus EIA kits for serological analyses. HBV DNA viral load (HBV DNA VL) was determined by real time PCR and molecular characterization of HBV strains was performed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of partial HBV surface and core genes. At all, 70.2% of patients were under antiretroviral therapy. The prevalence of HBsAg was 8.8% (43/487). Detectable HBV DNA was found in 69.7% (30/43) of HBsAg positive patients and in 17.5% (24/137) HBsAg negative patients. HBV DNA VL was significantly higher among patient with CD4 cell counts less than 200 cells/mm<sup>3</sup> than those with CD4 cell counts greater than 500 cells/mm<sup>3</sup> (<i>p</i> = 0.008). We confirmed the presence of HBV sub-genotypes QS-A3 (40%), and A4 (20%) and HBV-E genotype (40%). The percentage of resistance to Lamivudine was high (40%) and varied according to the M204V/I motif. Occult hepatitis B infection (OBI) was found in patients with isolated HBcAb and among patients who had completed their HBsAg seroconversion. We detected HBV DNA for one patient without any HBV serological marker. This study provides a new landmark for the comprehension of HBV infection in PLHA in urban areas. OBI enhances HBV DNA prevalence and should be investigated in all HBsAg negative individuals.</p></div
Baseline characteristics and HBsAg prevalence in the studied population.
<p>Baseline characteristics and HBsAg prevalence in the studied population.</p
Patients characteristics corresponding to the sequenced strains.
<p>Patients characteristics corresponding to the sequenced strains.</p
Phylogenetic analysis of partial surface gene (Fig 3A) and core gene (Fig 3B) rooted on HBV woolly monkey strain (AY226578).
<p>This tree was inferred by the Bayesian method in the GTR model. Samples sequenced in this study are represented in red. The green sequences correspond to Gabonese sequences recently described. The green framed sequences correspond to the potential recombinant (GenBank accession number of referenced strains, Genotypes and Countries of origin are indicated in the tree). Only Branching Posterior Probability (BPP) values ≥ 70% are illustrated.</p
Comparative analysis of HBV DNA viral load according baseline characteristics of HIV positive patients.
<p>A) According to age group; B) According to CD4 count levels; C) and D) According to treatment status. Red line: Median; Red points: Raw data; Blue dash: HBV VL Cut-off (50 IU/mL).</p
Percentage of patients untreated versus treated, and distribution of antiviral HBV therapies.
<p>Percentage of patients untreated versus treated, and distribution of antiviral HBV therapies.</p
HBV DNA detection and HBV DNA VL according to HBV serological profiles.
<p>HBV DNA detection and HBV DNA VL according to HBV serological profiles.</p
Distribution of mutations in the Polymerase gene (A) and in S gene (B) using Mutation Reporter Tool (http://hvdr.bioinf.wits.ac.za/tools/).
<p>Letters preceding each locus on the X axis show the reference patterns and the letters indexed in colors show the mutated patterns. Only detected mutations are represented.</p