Hepatitis B Virus Genotype H: Epidemiological, Molecular, and Clinical Characteristics in Mexico

Abstract

The hepatitis B virus (HBV), comprising of ten genotypes (A-J), has been a silent threat against humanity, constituting a public health problem worldwide. In 2016, the World Health Organization set forth an impressive initiative for the global elimination of viral hepatitis by 2030. As the target date approaches, many nations, particularly in the Latin American region, face challenges in designing and implementing their respective elimination plan. This review aimed to portray the state of knowledge about the epidemiological, molecular, and clinical characteristics of HBV genotype H (HBV/H), endemic to Mexico. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched to compile scientific literature over 50 years (1970–2022). A total of 91 articles were organized into thematic categories, addressing essential aspects such as epidemiological data, risk factors, HBV genotype distribution, HBV mixed infections, clinical characteristics, and vaccination. The prevalence and its associated 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were estimated using the Metafor package in R programming language (version 4.1.2). We provide insights into the strengths and weaknesses in diagnostics and prevention measures that explain the current epidemiological profile of HBV/H. Training, research, and awareness actions are required to control HBV infections in Mexico. These actions should contribute to creating more specific clinical practice guides according to the region’s characteristics. Mexico’s elimination plan for HBV will require teamwork among the government health administration, researchers, physicians, specialists, and civil society advocates to overcome this task jointly.

Topological effect of an intramolecular split G-quadruplex on thioflavin T binding and fluorescence light-up

“…Hence, derived from S8 , four new Intra-SG structures ( S8Ha ′, S8Hb ′, S8Hc ′ and S8Hd ′, Table S1†) were designed for recognizing four short single-stranded DNA segments from the HBV gene ( Ha , Hb , Hc and Hd ). 40,41 The HBV has been regarded as a major threat to human health and its infection could lead to liver diseases ( e.g. , hepatocellular carcinoma).…”

Personalized medicine and nutrition in hepatology for preventing chronic liver disease in Mexico

“…To date, five HBV genotypes may be significant for PerMed-Nut in Mexicans with different clinical implications. Among these, HBV genotypes H is predominant followed by G, F, A, and D which circulate in patients according to genetic and sociodemographic backgrounds ( 82 , 83 ). Based on molecular epidemiology data, HBV genotypes A and D discovered in Mexico are deemed exotic when compared to the Americas’ prevalent H and F. Indeed, phylogenetic examination of those genotypes suggested that A2 originated in Europe and D4 in Africa.…”

“…Regarding the clinical result, HBV genotypes A and D have been identified in individuals with chronic infection, but genotype H is common in occult hepatitis B cases and exhibits a high degree of adaptation among the local people ( 82 ). Interestingly, sub-genotype F1b native to South America and linked to HCC in Native Alaskans ( 84 ) and Native Peruvians ( 85 ) has been found in Mexican patients ( 86 ).…”

“…Hepatocellular carcinoma seen as the end-stage outcome of chronic liver disease is influenced by various gene–environment interactions that vary depending on the population ( 81 ). In Mexico, HCC is low in prevalence which may be due to the population’s immune response to the HBV/H genotype, despite the high rate of occult HBV infection ( 82 ). Nonetheless, the influence of the emergent F1b, A, and D genotypes on the natural history of HCC has not been thoroughly studied ( 86 ).…”