Characterization of Hepatitis B Virus and Human Immunodeficiency Virus among HIV/HBV Co-Infected Patients from the Republic of Guinea

Aim. Molecular genetic characterization of hepatitis B virus and human immunodeficiency virus in patients with HIV / HBV co-infection living in the Republic of Guinea. Materials and methods. 2168 blood serum samples obtained from the Republic of Guinea residents – blood donors and conditionally healthy people, without suspicion of Ebola virus disease, UK RUSAL employees and their families, as part of their routine medical examination. The presence of serological and molecular biological markers of HIV and HBV was examined. When HIV/HBV co-infection was detected, the nucleotide sequences of the complete HBV genomes and the HIV pol gene fragment were sequenced. Results and discussion. HIVserological markers were detected in 239 people (11.02 %). HIV RNA was detected in 31 people, which accounted for 12.9 % of patients in the seropositive group (1.43 % of the total group). HBV serological markers among HIV RNAs-positive individuals were detected in 29.03 % of patients, including 16.12 % HBsAg and 12.9 % anti-HBcore IgG. HBV DNA was detected in all HBsAg-positive and in two anti-HBcore IgG-positive patients, as well as in 12 people negative for all HBV serological markers analyzed in the work. Thus, HBV DNA was found in 61.29 % of HIV RNA-positive individuals. Based on the pol gene fragment nucleotide sequences analysis of 19 HIV samples, it was shown that the HIV circulating recombinant form CRF02_AG  prevails in the examined group (52.63 %) compared with HIV A1 (42.1 %), one sample was an independent recombinant of genotypes A1 and G. HBV phylogenetic analysis of the studied samples showed that genotype E prevails – 47.36 %, compared with HBV D1 – 21.05 %, D2 – 15.78 %, D3 – 10.52 % and A2 – 5.26 %. HIV and HBV samples have been detected that carry drug resistance mutations despite the antiretroviral therapy absence. HIV and HBV drug resistance mutations identification in ART-naive patients emphasizes the need for HIV surveillance programs as well as routine testing for HBV and HIV and HBV drug resistance before starting antiretroviral therapy in the clinical management of patients in the country

New data on the level of immune stratum against Q fever agent in population of the of Republic of Guinea

which is bacteria of the species Coxiella burnetii. One of the factors showing the possibility of pathogen circulation in a certain territory is assessed by the presence of an immune stratum in the inhabitants of the region. In the 1980s, the study of the immune structure of the population of the Republic of Guinea in relation to coxiellosis has begun. The present study, carried out in 2015—2019, has been aimed to obtain new information about the immune stratum of the population of the Republic of Guinea against the causative agent of Q fever and to compare it with previous studies. Specific IgG antibodies in the blood of the Guinea residents were detected by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with a set of reagents manufactured at the St. Petersburg Pasteur Institute (St. Petersburg, Russian Federation). The serum samples were tested in at 1:100 dilution. Antibodies against C. burnetii were detected in 124/2346 (5.3% [CI 4.5-6.3]) samples. This study confirms the previously obtained data on the circulation of the causative agent of coxiellosis in all landscape and geographical zones of the Republic of Guinea. The natural and climatic conditions of the region, the variety of ixodic tick species currently inhabiting this territory being a reservoir and vector of infection, as well as a large amount of livestock are the factors for active circulation of the Q fever pathogen and the emergence of related disease outbreaks. The data obtained necessitate continuing further studies on distribution of C. burnetii in the territory of the Republic of Guinea. Taking into consideration the epidemiological significance of Q fever, a pressing task is to study a proportion of this infectious disease in the overall structure of diseases registered in the territory of the Republic of Guinea. It is also necessary to conduct regular epizootological monitoring in order to clarify the types of carriers and vectors of C. burnetii in different landscape and geographical zones of the Republic of Guinea as well as to assess the immune stratum against the pathogen in large and small cattle being the main sources of infection for humans. The data obtained will allow us to determine presence of a natural focus of this infection as well as its borders and develop a set of preventive (anti-epidemic) measures

Detection of Specific Antibodies to Arboviruses in Blood Sera of Persons Residing in Kindia Province, the Republic of Guinea

The aim of the work was to detect specific antibodies to West Nile, dengue, CCHF, and chikungunya viruses in blood sera of Guinean Kindia Province residents.Materials and methods. The obtained sera were analyzed in ELISA to discover IgG antibodies to abovementioned viruses.Results and conclusions. Detected were 267 (82 %) positive samples out of 326, containing immunoglobulins of G class to these arboviruses. The obtained data provide evidence for active circulation of dengue and West Nile fevers agents in this territory. Further studies of immune strata of the population, and possible carriers and vectors of arboviruses were demonstrated to be advisable for optimization of approaches to prophylactic (anti-epidemic) measures implementation

Prevalence of Markers of Certain Blood-Borne Viral Infections in Pregnant Women and Their Partners in the Republic of Guinea

The aim of the work was to estimate the prevalence of HIV, HBV and HCV markers among pregnant women and their male partners in the Republic of Guinea.Materials and methods. The material of the study was blood plasma samples from 140 pregnant women living in Kindia prefecture and N’Zerekore prefecture, as well as 60 male partners who reported sexual contact with HIV-infected persons. The samples were examined for the presence of serological (HBsAg, HBeAg, antibodies anti-HBs IgG, anti-HBcore IgG, anti-HBe IgG, anti-HCV IgG, Ag/Ab-HIV) and molecular (HBV DNA, HCV RNA, HIV RNA) markers.Results and discussion. The age of the examined pregnant women ranged from 13 to 55 years and was on average (26.29±9.67) years. The age of men varied from 15 to 60 years, on average – (29.05±11.99) years. When assessing the prevalence of serological markers, antibodies to HCV were detected in 2.14 % cases in women and in 3.33 % cases in men. Antibodies to HIV were found in 6.43 % and 6.67 % women and men, respectively. Serological markers associated with HBV were detected in 80.71 % (HBsAg – 13.57 %) of women and 81.67 % (15 %) of men. In the pregnant women, HCV RNA was not detected, HIV RNA was revealed in 1 case, HBV DNA was identified in 26 cases (18.57 %), including 5 % HBsAg-negative hepatitis B cases. In the men group, HCV RNA and HIV RNA were detected in 3.33 % and 6.67 % cases, respectively. HBV DNA was determined in 16.67 % of men, including latent hepatitis B in one person. A significantly higher incidence of HIV in men compared to women is shown (χ2=3.907 at p<0.05). The relative risk of HIV infection in men is nine times higher than in women: RR=9.333; p=0.0291; 95 % CI: 1.065–81.815 %. Four out of five identified HIV infection cases were co-infected with HBV and/or HCV. There is an obvious need to introduce screening for HIV, HCV, HBV, including latent hepatitis B, into routine laboratory diagnostics during examination of pregnant women and their partners, followed by couples counseling and vaccination against hepatitis B virus

Identification of the Farm Animals Immune to Pathogens of Zoonotic Infectious Diseases in the Republic of Guinea

The most common anthropozoonoses on the African continent are coxiellosis and Rift Valley fever. It is known that detection of specific IgG antibodies in the blood sera of farm animals is one of the indicators of the pathogen circulation in a certain territory. The aim of the work was to identify specific IgG antibodies in the blood sera of farm animals collected on the territory of the Republic of Guinea to pathogens of zoonotic infectious diseases: coxiellosis, brucellosis, glanders, CCHF, West Nile and Rift Valley fevers, using enzyme immunoassay (ELISA). Materials and methods. A panel of 970 samples of blood sera from farm animals inhabiting all landscape-geographical zones of Guinea was compiled for the work. Identification of specific antibodies was carried out using enzyme immunoassay with preparations recommended for veterinary studies. Results and discussion. Specific antibodies to zoonoses were detected in 700 out of 1074 samples (65.2 % of the total), including: to Coxiella burnetii – in 172 (16.0 %); to Brucella spp. – in 212 (19.7 %); viruses of Rift Valley fever – 85 (7.9 %); CCHF – in 139 (12.9 %) and West Nile fever – in 92 (8.6 %). Antibodies to Burkholderia mallei were not found in the tested material. Positive samples were registered in all landscape-geographical zones. Thus, an urgent task is to continue studying the circulation of pathogens of zoonoses and anthropozoonoses in the territory of the Republic of Guinea and to organize regular monitoring over the spread of zoonotic infectious diseases in collaboration with veterinary services, which will allow timely forecasting and coordinating prophylactic (anti-epidemic) measures to prevent cases of diseases

Circulation of Lyssaviruses (Lyssavirus) among the Small Mammals in the Territory of the Republic of Guinea

Objective is to study the role of small mammals, habitant in the Republic of Guinea, in Lyssavirus circulation. Materials and methods. Investigations were conducted using RT-PCR; nucleotide sequence of Lyssavirus cDNA fragments was identified with the help of sequencing with further phylogenetic analysis. Results and conclusions. Tested have been 356 brain samples from small mammals for the presence of Lyssavirus RNA using RT-PCR with genus-specific primers. The animals were caught in the suburbs of Kindia city in 2016. The samples were obtained from wild animals pertaining to Rodentia, Chiroptera, Eulipotyphla, and Carnivora orders.Lyssavirus RNA was detected in 31 samples (8.7 %). For 14 PCR positive samples the appurtenance to Lyssavirus was confirmed through identification and analysis of nucleotide sequences of the collected short cDAN fragments of viral genome. The presence of rabies virus RNA in positive tests was excluded from PCR with the help of species specific primers. The pool of samples from black rats, Rattus rattus, positive for Lyssavirus RNA, contained RNA characteristic of Mokola lyssavirus species. Specified has been nucleotide sequence of matrix protein M gene fragment of Mokola virus. Genetic material of Mokola virus was detected in the Republic of Guinea for the first time ever

Comparative Analysis of the Vertical Risk of Transmission of Some Blood-Borne Infections in the Republic of Guinea

The aim of our work was to compare the HBV, HCV and HIV vertical transmission risk in the Republic of Guinea.Materials and methods. The material for the study was 305 blood plasma samples from pregnant women living in Conakry, Republic of Guinea. The samples were examined for the presence of serological (HBsAg, antibodies antiHBs IgG, anti-HBcore IgG, anti-HCV IgG, Ag/Ab-HIV) and molecular (HBV DNA, HCV RNA, HIV RNA) markers.Results and discussion. When assessing the overall prevalence of serological markers among patients, the incidence of HBV markers was 76.06 %. Antibodies to HCV were detected only in 1 case, which amounted to 0.32 %. HIV markers were detected in 3 cases, which amounted to 0.98 %. The prevalence of HBsAg in the group under examination significantly differed between the groups of pregnant women aged 13–19 years (17.33 %) and 20–24 years (12.12 %), p<0.0001, RR=5.107 with 95 % CI: 2.458–10.612. When assessing the overall prevalence of molecular-biological markers among patients, we did not detect HIV RNA, in one patient, HCV RNA was determined, which was 0.32 %, while the incidence of HBV DNA was 20 %. Among HBsAg-positive individuals, HBV DNA was detected in 86.11 %, which was 10.16 % of the total group. Among the HBsAg-negative individuals, HBV DNA was detected in 11.15 % (9.84 % of the total group). It should be noted that in nine cases, HBV DNA was detected without any serological markers, which amounted to 14.75 % (2.95 % of the total group). Assessment of the blood-borne infections prevalence in pregnant women is significant for the subsequent identification of pathogen transmission routes in order to control and/or prevent the spread of infection

Primary HCV Drug Resistance Mutations in Patients with Newly Diagnosed HIV Infection

Objective of our work was to assess prevalence of the primary HCV drug resistance mutations in the NS5b gene in patients with newly diagnosed HIV infection.Materials and methods. The study material was 196 blood plasma samples from patients living in the North-Western Federal District with newly diagnosed HIV. Samples were examined for the anti-HCV antibodies and HCV RNA presence. If HCV RNA was detected, amplification was performed using three primers pairs that co-flanked the NS5b gene. After sequencing the indicated gene nucleotide sequence, the virus subtype was determined and drug resistance mutations were detected.Results and discussion. Antibodies to HCV were detected in 18.87 % of HIV-infected individuals. HCV RNA was detected in 18.36 % of the patients, including 89.18 % anti-HCV-positive and 1.88 % anti-HCV-negative. It was shown that co-infection is more common in men (77.8 %) compared to women (22.2 %) – χ2 = 3.996 at p = 0.0456, df = 2. The difference in the HIV viral load between the groups with HIV monoinfection and with HIV + HCV coinfection was demonstrated (χ2 = 6.284 at p = 0.0432, df = 2). A significant difference between the groups by the CD4 + lyphocytes number was shown. In the phylogenetic analysis, the HCV subtypes are distributed as follows: HCV 1b – 47.2 %, HCV 3a – 30.6 %, HCV 1a – 13.9 %, HCV 2a – 5.5 % and only one sample was defined as HCV 2k – 2.8 %, respectively. Nine samples (25 %) presented NS5b mutations in  the positions related to the development of drug resistance of HCV, including two samples among HCV genotypes 1a and 3a (i.e., 5.6 % of the total HIV + HCV group), as well as five samples among HCV 1b (13.9 % of the total group). Mutations among HCV 1a were C316Y and N444D substitutions. Among HCV 1b, C316N, C451S, S556N/G substitutions were identified. Among patients with HCV 3a, 2 samples (5.6 %) with a D310N mutation associated with an unfavorable disease prognosis were found. The introduction of direct sequencing of HCV nucleotide sequences into the routine laboratory diagnostics will allow us to estimate the primary drug resistance mutations prevalence in risk groups to predict the HCV life-threatening complications development – fibrosis, cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, as well as the outcome of antiviral therapy prognosis. The data obtained can be rationally used to assess the dynamics of the HCV primary pharmacoresistance prevalence among HIV-infected individuals

Prevalence of HIV and Viral Hepatitis Markers among Healthcare Workers in the Republic of Guinea

Healthcare workers are much more likely to be infected with HIV and hepatitis viruses compared to the general population. Although healthcare workers are more aware of HIV and hepatitis viruses, several countries in Africa lack a comprehensive grasp of disease routes and transmission risks. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of the serological and molecular biological markers of HIV and viral hepatitis among healthcare workers in the Republic of Guinea. The study material was 74 blood serum samples collected from healthcare workers who received additional training at the Institute of Applied Biological Research of Guinea (IRBAG, Kindia, Republic of Guinea). The markers examined included HBsAg, HBeAg, anti-HBs IgG, anti-HBcore IgG, anti-HCV qualitative determination, anti-HEV IgM and IgG, anti-HAV IgM and IgG, and anti-HIV. For viral DNA and RNA detection, nucleic acids were extracted from blood serum, and viral presence was inferred using real-time PCR with hybridization fluorescence detection. A high prevalence of viral hepatitis B markers was shown, and significantly fewer cases of viral hepatitis C and HIV were detected. Almost all examined medical workers had anti-HAV IgG antibodies, but no antibodies to hepatitis E virus. Apparently, the identified markers depend on the general prevalence of certain pathogens in the region and are associated with the traditions and characteristics of the country’s residents

Prevalence of HIV and Viral Hepatitis Markers among Healthcare Workers in the Republic of Guinea

Healthcare workers are much more likely to be infected with HIV and hepatitis viruses compared to the general population. Although healthcare workers are more aware of HIV and hepatitis viruses, several countries in Africa lack a comprehensive grasp of disease routes and transmission risks. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of the serological and molecular biological markers of HIV and viral hepatitis among healthcare workers in the Republic of Guinea. The study material was 74 blood serum samples collected from healthcare workers who received additional training at the Institute of Applied Biological Research of Guinea (IRBAG, Kindia, Republic of Guinea). The markers examined included HBsAg, HBeAg, anti-HBs IgG, anti-HBcore IgG, anti-HCV qualitative determination, anti-HEV IgM and IgG, anti-HAV IgM and IgG, and anti-HIV. For viral DNA and RNA detection, nucleic acids were extracted from blood serum, and viral presence was inferred using real-time PCR with hybridization fluorescence detection. A high prevalence of viral hepatitis B markers was shown, and significantly fewer cases of viral hepatitis C and HIV were detected. Almost all examined medical workers had anti-HAV IgG antibodies, but no antibodies to hepatitis E virus. Apparently, the identified markers depend on the general prevalence of certain pathogens in the region and are associated with the traditions and characteristics of the country’s residents