Molecular Epidemiology, Drug-Resistant Variants, and Therapeutic Implications of Hepatitis B Virus and Hepatitis D Virus Prevalence in Nigeria: A National Study
Information on circulating HBV (sub-)genotype, variants, and hepatitis D virus (HDV) coinfection, which vary by geographical area, is crucial for the efficient control and management of HBV. We investigated the genomic characteristics of HBV (with a prevalence of 8.1%) and the prevalence of HDV in N...
Saved in:
Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
---|---|
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-01-01
|
Series: | Pathogens |
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/1/101 |
Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
Summary: | Information on circulating HBV (sub-)genotype, variants, and hepatitis D virus (HDV) coinfection, which vary by geographical area, is crucial for the efficient control and management of HBV. We investigated the genomic characteristics of HBV (with a prevalence of 8.1%) and the prevalence of HDV in Nigeria. We utilised 777 HBV-positive samples and epidemiological data from the two-stage sampled population-based, nationally representative Nigeria HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey conducted in 2018. We assessed 732 HBV DNA-extracted samples with detectable viral loads (VLs) for (sub-)genotypes and variants by whole-genome pre-amplification, nested PCR of the <i>s</i>-and <i>pol</i>-gene, and BigDye Terminator sequencing. We conducted HDV serology. In total, 19 out of the 36 + 1 states in Nigeria had a high prevalence of HBV (≥8%), with the highest prevalence (10.4%) in the north-central geopolitical zone. Up to 33.2% (95% CI 30.0–36.6) of the participants had detectable VLs of ≥300 copies/mL. The predominant circulating HBV genotype was E with 98.4% (95% CI 97.1–99.1), followed by A with 1.6% (95% CI 0.9–2.9). Drug-resistant associated variants and immune escape variants were detected in 9.3% and 0.4%, respectively. The seroprevalence of HDV was 7.34% (95% CI 5.5–9.2). Nigeria has subtype E as the major genotype with many variants. |
---|---|
ISSN: | 2076-0817 |