Characterization of a Hepatitis B virus strain in southwestern Paraná, Brazil, presenting mutations previously associated with anti-HBs Resistance

Abstract

SUMMARYThe present study investigated if hepatitis B virus (HBV) mutants circulate in the southwestern region of the State of Paraná, Brazil, by analyzing samples from children who received immunoprophylaxis but were born to HBV carrier mothers. Samples from 25 children were screened for HBV serum markers and for HBV DNA by PCR. Only one sample was positive for HBsAg, anti-HBs and HBV DNA, although the child had been vaccinated. Analysis of the S gene sequence of this sample showed the presence of a proline at position 105, a serine at position 114, three threonines at positions 115, 116 and 140, and a glutamine at position 129. The presence of these amino acids, except for serine at position 114, has been related to monoclonal or polyclonal therapy with anti-HBs after liver transplantation, whereas the presence of threonine at position 116 has been described in immunized children from Singapore. This finding demonstrates the possible circulation of HBV strains resistant to hepatitis B immunoprophylaxis in southwestern Paraná, Brazil. The genotype of the sample was identified as genotype D, which is frequently found in the region studied. Since 36% of the children had received incomplete or no immunoprophylaxis, more extensive follow-up of children born to HBsAg-positive mothers is needed.

Clonal analysis of hepatitis B viruses among blood donors from Joinville, Brazil: Evidence of dual infections, intragenotype recombination and markers of risk for hepatocellular carcinoma

“…The vast predominance of genotype D herein observed was also in agreement with studies in the southern region of Brazil, where the present study was conducted [Carrilho et al, 2004;Becker et al, 2010;Bertolini et al, 2010]. It has been postulated that HBV-D is highly prevalent in southern Brazil due to the prevalence of this genotype in Central Europe, a source of intense influx of immigrants to Southern Brazil in the early 1900s [Mello et al, 2007].…”

Characterization of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes in patients from Rondônia, Brazil

“…In all the three states located in Southern Brazil, HBV genotype D was previously detected: Paraná [64], Santa Catarina [65] and Rio Grande do Sul [66]. Genotype D is the most frequent in Southern Brazil, whereas genotype A is the most frequent in all other regions [67,68].…”

Epidemiological and molecular analysis of hepatitis B virus infection in manicurists in Central Brazil

“…The higher prevalence in professionals that were not born in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, may be related to the decrease in the prevalence of HBV infection in this state in the last few years . The decrease in the prevalence of hepatitis B in Central Brazil may have contributed to the low prevalence of HBV infection found in manicurists and pedicurists . Likewise, almost one fourth (24.1%) of manicurists and pedicurists came from regions in Brazil with a higher prevalence of HBV infection …”

“…The decrease in the prevalence of hepatitis B in Central Brazil may have contributed to the low prevalence of HBV infection found in manicurists and pedicurists . Likewise, almost one fourth (24.1%) of manicurists and pedicurists came from regions in Brazil with a higher prevalence of HBV infection …”