Complete genome analysis of hepatitis B virus in human immunodeficiency virus infected and uninfected South Africans

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections are highly endemic in South Africa. Data on the complete genome sequences of HBV in HIV-positive patients in South Africa are scanty. This study characterized the complete HBV genome isolated from both HIV-positive and negative patients at the Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital (DGMAH), Pretoria. Serum samples from nine (five HIV-positive and four HIV-negative) patients attending the DGMAH from 2007 to 2011 were serologically tested, amplified, and sequenced for complete genome. Phylogenetic tree was constructed using MEGA6.0. Mutations were analyzed by comparing the sequences with genotype-matched GenBank references. Eight patients were HBsAg positive, with only one from the HIV positive group being negative. Phylogenetic analysis of the complete genome sequences classified them into five genotypes; A1 (n = 4), A2 (n = 1), C1 (n = 2), D1 (n = 1), and D3 (n = 1). Deletions up to 35 nucleotides in length were identified in this study. No drug resistance mutations were identified in the P ORF, while the L217R mutation was identified in one subgenotype A2 sequence. The double (A1762T/G1764A) and triple (T1753C/A1762T/G1764A) mutations in the Basal core promoter were identified in four and two sequences, respectively. In the core region, mutation G1888A was identified in four of the subgenotype A1 sequences. In conclusion, this study has added to the limited South African data on HBV genotypes and mutations in HBV/HIV co-infected and HBV mono-infected patients, based on complete HBV genome analysis. Subgenotype A1 was predominant, and no drug-resistant mutants were detected in the study. J. Med. Virol. 88:1560-1566, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

A systematic review of hepatitis B virus (HBV) drug and vaccine escape mutations in Africa: A call for urgent action

“…HBV infected with and without HIV coinfection: (n = 8 studies), [ 41 – 43 , 57 , 63 , 65 , 66 , 68 ];…”

“…Mixed regimen where some received 3TC, others TDF, while others left untreated; (n = 7 studies), [ 12 , 50 , 54 , 56 , 60 , 62 , 66 ];…”

Mapping hepatitis B virus genotypes on the African continent from 1997 to 2021: a systematic review with meta-analysis

“…In addition, three studies each were reported from Botswana 78 – 80 , Burkina Faso 89 , 102 , 106 , Egypt 69 , 70 , 73 , Ivory Coast 28 , 88 , 114 and Tunisia 67 , 71 , 72 with pooled sample sizes of 77, 240, 184, 274 and 377 respectively. Finally, five studies with a sample size of 148 were reported in Kenya 58 , 59 , 61 , 63 , 66 , six studies were conducted from each of Nigeria 8 , 90 , 98 , 103 , 107 , 108 and South Africa 74 , 82 – 85 , 115 with sample sizes of 256 and 347 respectively and, eight studies from Ghana 87 , 93 , 94 , 96 , 101 , 104 , 110 , 112 with a sample size of 445. By year of publication, 26 (44.1%) of the studies that were eligible for inclusion in our systematic review and meta-analysis were published between 2016 to 2021, 13 (21.67%) between 2011 to 2015, 15 (25.4%) between 2006 to 2010 and 5 (8.5%) between 1997 to 2005.…”

A novel hepatitis B virus recombinant genotype D4/E identified in a South African population

“…In South Africa, it is the genotype A which is found to predominantly circulate and has been associated with severe liver disease and rapid progression to hepatocellular carcinoma (Kew, 2008; Kramvis and Kew, 2007). Various studies have sufficiently addressed the molecular characteristics of genotype A as compared to the less common genotypes (B, C, D and E) found circulating in South Africa (Gededzha et al., 2016; Kramvis, 2008; Kimbi et al., 2004). These previous studies have found molecular variations unique to the genotype A strains.…”

“…Despite the fact that the HBV genotype D is rarely isolated from the South African population, it remains the second most predominant HBV genotype in the country (Kew, 2008). Genotype D strains that have been reported to circulate in South Africa include subgenotype D1, D3, and D4, with D3 being the predominant strain (Gededzha et al., 2016; Amponsah-Dacosta et al., 2015; Mayaphi et al., 2013; Kew, 2008; Norder et al., 2004). The full-length genome of circulating subgenotype D4 strains in South Africa has not been sufficiently characterized.…”