Markers Of HBV Infection Research Articles

Comparison of Autolumo A2000 Plus and Architect i2000 for detection of hepatitis B virus serological markers

Serological detection of hepatitis B virus markers plays a vital role in the diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and therapeutic surveillance of hepatitis B. To compare the diagnostic performance of Autolumo A2000Plus and Abbott Architect i2000 systems in the detection of hepatitis B infection markers. A total of 6 HBV seroconversion panels and 743 participants were enrolled in this study, including 383 HBV-infected patients and 360 healthy adults. Clinical diagnostic information, laboratory results, and HBV genotyping were collected to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the A2000Plus and i2000 systems in detecting HBV infection markers. The results showed that the total percent agreement of HBV markers was all >90 % in both detection systems among the six seroconversion panels and 743 serum samples from the population. The χ2 values of the Chi-square test among hepatitis B virus serological markers in both analyzers were between 550.7 and 743.0, p < 0.0001. HBV marker consistency test results show perfect consistency between the two analyzers, with Kappa values ranging from 0.854 to 1.000. For specific samples, including Hepatitis B patients with Genotype C, chronic hepatitis B, hepatitis B-related cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma, spearman correlation analysis showed HBsAg correlation coefficients ranging from 0.8532 to 0.9745, p < 0.001 in both analyzers. In conclusion, Autolumo A2000Plus diagnostic performance in consistency and correlation is comparable to Abbott Architect i2000 when detecting markers of hepatitis B infection. The Autolumo A2000Plus system can be used as a reliable instrument for HBV marker detection.

Serological profile of hepatitis B virus infection among traditional birth attendants and the attending pregnant women in Ibadan, Nigeria

ABSTRACT Although a sizable number of pregnant women patronize Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) for deliveries in Nigeria, efforts to prevent or reduce the risk of HBV transmission are not targeted at the TBAs and the pregnant women patronizing them. This may be linked to the dearth of information on the serological profiles of HBV among this cohort. We, therefore, show the serological profiles of HBV among the cohort. One hundred and seventy pregnant women and 91 TBAs participated in this study between May and July 2019. Serological markers of HBV infection were assayed using ELISA. A prevalence of, 8.0% (95% CI: 5.0% − 11.5%) for HBsAg, 0.8% (95% CI: 0.0% − 1.9%) for HBeAg, 2.7% (95% CI: 0.8% − 5.0%) for HBcIgM, 26.1% (95% CI: 20.7% − 31.4%) for anti-HBs, 21.5% (95% CI: 16.5% − 25.4%) for anti-HBe and 67.0% (95% CI: 60.9% – 72.8%) for anti-HBc was found indicating a high percentage of carriers. Although 32 (12.3%) of the entire participants claimed to be fully vaccinated, serological evidence was only detected in 4 (12.5%). The high percentage of carriers and low evidence of vaccination necessitate intensified efforts to ensure that adequate interventions are made available and accessible to the TBAs and the pregnant women patronizing them (including newborn babies).

Acceptance of chronic disease in patients living with HIV infection: one centre's cross-sectional study

Background: Despite effective treatment, the quality of life of patients infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) can be diminished by factors both directly and indirectly related to the infection.Aim of the study: Determination of factors affecting the acceptance of HIV infection as a chronic disease in HIV-infected patients. Material and methods: A survey was conducted on 83 HIV-infected adults undergoing antiretroviral (ARV) treatment. The impact of social and medical factors on the acceptance of a chronic disease such as HIV infection was analyzed. Factors such as age, gender, education, route of HIV infection, living with family or a close person, professional activity, length of ARV therapy, history of an indicator disease, treatment breaks, markers of HBV infection, and current comorbidities requiring treatment, which may affect self-acceptance, were included in the analysis. Information about the patients was obtained from the Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS) survey and medical records.Results: On average, in the AIS survey, patients scored 33.98 points, with a maximum of 40, which proves a very good acceptance of their infection. Among the many analyzed factors, only two variables showed statistical significance. Professionally active people accept their infection better, while lower acceptance was observed in patients who discontinued ARV therapy in the past.Conclusions: The analysis of the data from the study shows the need to consider many factors influencing the acceptance of HIV infection in HIV-infected patients. This will allow the introduction of programs to improve care for people with a chronic disease and thus improve their quality of life. The high assessment of acceptance of their disease was undoubtedly influenced by professional activity, the effectiveness of ARV treatment, and good access to ARV drugs.

Assessment of the performance of haematological and non-invasive fibrotic indices for the monitoring of chronic HBV infection: a pilot study in a Ghanaian population

ObjectiveHaematological and liver fibrotic markers could be appreciably utilized for effective monitoring of Chronic Hepatitis B viral (HBV) infection, thereby increasing patient’s treatment outcome. The objective of this study was to assess the applicability of complete blood count (CBC) and non-invasive liver-fibrotic indices as markers of prognostic outcome and monitoring in HBV infections.ResultsSignificant differences in levels of white cell and differentials counts, red blood cell count, hemoglobin indices, and platelet indices were observed between HBV-infected patients (cases) and uninfected persons (controls). Levels of haemoglobin (Hb), total white blood cells (tWBC), neutrophils, monocytes, platelets, and Platelet Distribution width (PDW) were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the cases compared to the controls. Total and indirect bilirubin; De-Ritis ratio, Aspartate transaminase to platelet ratio index (APRI) and RDW-to-platelet ratio (RPR) were elevated in cases compared with controls (p-value < 0.05). In a multivariate adjusted model to test the significance of markers, Hemoglobin Index (beta coefficient = − 0.876, p-value < 0.001), NLR (beta coefficient = − 0.839, p-value < 0.001), MPV_10000 (beta coefficient = − 0.333, p-value < 0.001) and Albumin (beta coefficient = − 0.059, p-value = 0.014), were associated with HBV infection status. Receiver operative characteristics curve analysis showed Hemoglobin Index (AUC = 0.744) and MPV_10000 (AUC = 0.730) as better prognostic markers for HBV-infection.

Hepatitis B Immunity Status among Healthcare Sciences Students, 20 Years after the Infantile Vaccination: The Most Appropriate Policy to Confer Full Protection.

Abstract &#x0D; Background. During recent years, an increasing number of previously vaccinated children against hepatitis B (HBV) may begin activities as healthcare sciences students (HSS), so, at the higher risk of HBV infection. Therefore, documenting their immunity at before training was recommended. To evaluate their immunity status, as well as measuring the presence of immunological memory and protection through administering 1-to-3 additional doses of HBV vaccine among HSS who have been immunized at childhood, this study was conducted.&#x0D; Subjects and Methods. The vaccination status of the accepted HSS was documented by reviewing their vaccination record card. HBV infection markers at before, and following 1-to3 dose of HBV vaccine were measured using ELISA. Simple descriptive statistical methods were used to analyze collected data.&#x0D; Results. Totally, 274 HSS, 59.1% female, with mean age 23.8 years were included. Of those, 228 in infancy, and 46 within last 12-years have been immunized. From 228 infantile immunized students,103 with 1-to-3 doses of HBV vaccine were vaccinated. Of 125 non-boosted HSS, 64 preserved their protective antibody titers. The proportion of protected students and their antibody levels were increased significantly and approached to 96.8% following 3-doses of booster injection.&#x0D; Conclusion. Nearly half of the vaccinated students had lost their protective antibody titers, but, the majority of them preserved their immunological memory, detected through anamnestic response to booster vaccination. To provide appropriate protection, universal vaccination with one-doses of HBV vaccine followed by serological monitoring to identify non-protected students for further management seems reasonable.

Prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection among antenatal attendees in a university teaching hospital in Southern Nigeria

Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of HBV infection among pregnant women receiving antenatal care at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. Material and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 291 antenatal attendees over a period of 3 months. Blood samples from all consenting pregnant women were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody, hepatitis B envelop antigen and antibody, and hepatitis C antibody serum markers for HBV infection. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain sociodemographic data and the presence of risk factors. Data obtained were analyzed using SPSS, version 17.0. Results: Twenty-three women (7.9%) tested positive for Hepatitis B core antibody, while 6 (2.1%) tested positive for HBsAg. None tested positive for Hepatitis B envelop antigen. Forty-one (14.1%) women showed evidence of post vaccination immunity while 8 (2.8%) had evidence of post-infection immunity. Two hundred and twenty-seven (78.0%) women were susceptible to HBV infection. Higher educational attainment correlated significantly with less risk of acquiring HBV infection (P = 0.003). Conclusion: Our study revealed an intermediate prevalence and low infectivity of HBV infection among our pregnant women. Government and non-governmental organizations should intensify efforts to create awareness about the disease through public enlightenment campaigns, as well as recall systems through systems of mobile communication.

Prevalence of HIV and Its Co-Infection with Hepatitis B/C Virus Among Chronic Liver Disease Patients in Ethiopia.

BackgroundThe efficient use of antiretroviral drugs has significantly reduced AIDS-related morbidities and mortalities; however, mortality due to non-AIDS-related end-stage liver diseases is escalating in those living with HIV.ObjectiveThe study was designed to determine the prevalence of HIV and its co-infection with HBV and HCV among chronic liver disease (CLD) patients in Ethiopia.MethodsThree hundred and forty-five CLD patients were included in this study in two groups: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (n=128) and non-HCC (n=217) patients. The non-HCC group comprised patients with advanced liver disease (n=98) and chronic hepatitis (n=119). Enzyme immunoassays were used to determine HBV and HCV infection markers. In addition, a serial rapid HIV testing algorithm was employed to screen HIV infection.ResultsRegardless of the stage of liver disease, the overall frequency of HIV was 4.3% (15/345), with a 2% (7/345) and 0.3% (1/345) of HIV/HBV and HIV/HCV co-infection rate. Of all HIV-infected patients (n=15), 46.7% (7/15) and 6.7% (1/15) were co-infected with HBV (HBsAg+HBcAb+) and HCV (anti-HCV+ HCV-RNA+), respectively, and 86.7% (13/15) exhibited a marker of HBV exposure (total HBcAb+). Overall, the frequency of HIV and its co-infection with HBV was more noticeable among HCC than non-HCC patients [8.6% (11/128) vs 1.8 (4/217), p=0.005 and 3.9% (5/128) vs 0.9% (2/217), p=0.1]. The rate of HIV mono-infection was 3.9% (5/128) vs 0.9% (2/217) among HCC and non-HCC patients.ConclusionThe frequency of HIV and its co-infections with HBV/HCV exhibited an increasing pattern with the severity of the liver disease. Thus, screening all HIV-positive patients for HBV and HCV infection and all CLD patients for HIV infection and taking necessary preventive measures would be an essential strategy to prevent the progression of CLD and death related to liver disease in people living with HIV.

Инфицированность вирусами гепатитов В, С и TTV высококвалифицированных спортсменов

Biomedical support is aimed at provision of the athletes' training at various stages of the training and competition process. Withholding of access to this process due to health problems resulting from hepatitis virus infection is a demanding task. The study was aimed to assess the detection rate of the hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus and TT virus infection markers in highly trained athletes. A total of 384 blood serum samples were collected from 240 males and 144 females aged 14–49 (athletes engaged in playing sports, precision sports, technical sports, etc.) within the framework of the multicenter open-label cross-sectional clinical trial. All athletes answered a questionnaire, which included demographic information, characteristics of sports, information about the infection risk factors, information about the fact of past acute viral hepatitis and vaccination. Markers of infection with hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus and TTV were identified in blood serum by enzyme immunoassay. HbsAg was detected in two surveyed athletes. Anti-HBcore (surrogate marker of latent HBV infection) was detected in 7% of samples (27/384); 1% of athletes (4/384) had a positive hepatitis C virus total antibody test (anti-HCV). Аnti-HCV in combination with anti-HBcore was detected in one female athlete (14 years of age, tennis player). DNA of TTV, TTMDV and TTMV was detected in blood serum samples of 89.1%, 83.1% and 85.4% of athletes, respectively. High detection rate of the hepatitis virus markers was observed.

Effects of Hepatitis B Virus Co-Infection and Antiretroviral Therapy on Disease Progression among HIV Patients Treated at the Buea Regional Hospital, Southwest Region, Cameroon: A Case-Control Study

In the era of “test and treat”, when AIDS-defining events have been drastically reduced, chronic liver disease associated with viral hepatitis and antiretroviral therapy (ART) remains an important cause of non-AIDS morbidity and mortality among HIV-infected patients. Compared to the general population, HIV-infected patients are about 10-times at risk of hepatitis B virus infection. Additionally, several antiretroviral regimens are hepatotoxic. Therefore, effective monitoring and management of ART and HBV co-infection are essential to ending the AIDS epidemic and eliminating viral hepatitis by 2030. This was a hospital-based, matched (age and sex) case-control study. HIV patients (case patients) on ART for at least six months and “healthy” controls aged 18 years and older were enrolled. Blood samples were collected for immuno-hematologic indices and transaminases measurements. Data were presented as counts, percentages, median (IQR) and means (SD), and a p-value 1.5) and mild (0.6 - 1.5) liver fibrosis based on the APRI score was 0.5% and 8%, respectively. Significant fibrosis (>3.25) was 0.9%, while 18.4% had inconclusive fibrosis (1.45 - 3.25) based on the FIB-4 score. HIV/HBV co-infected patients had a higher occurrence of liver fibrosis (APRI: 0.5% vs FIB-4: 0.9%). Co-infections with HBV increase the risk of liver-related morbidity in HIV patients. Therefore, screening for serological markers of chronic HBV infection and hepatic transaminase levels in HIV patients remains crucial in the continuum of care.

Assessment of hepatitis E seropositivity among HIV-infected patients in Bulgaria

It is debatable whether HIV-infected patients are at greater risk for hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection compared with healthy subjects. The reported anti-HEV seroprevalence among different groups in Bulgaria varied from 9.04% to 25.9%, but the information regarding the HIV population is still missing. The aim of the present study was to evaluate hepatitis E seroprevalence among HIV-infected patients in Bulgaria and to analyze demographic and immunological factors associated with HEV infection. Serum samples of 312 HIV-infected patients were analyzed retrospectively. Age, sex, residence and laboratory markers for HEV, HBV, HCV and HIV infection, and lymphocytes subpopulations were collected for all patients. None of the tested samples were positive for HEV RNA. HEV seroprevalence among HIV-infected patients was 10.9%. Males were more affected with the highest prevalence of positivity in the age group > 30 to ≤ 40 years. The documented HIV transmission routes in HIV/HEV co-infected group were heterosexual, homosexual, intravenous drug use (IDU), and vertical with predominace of the heterosexual route (z = 0.2; p = 0.804). There was a statistically significant trend of HIV mixed infection with routes of HIV transmission other than homosexual - heterosexual in HIV/HEV group and injection drug use in HIV/HBV/HCV co-infected group. The route of HIV transmission, in contexts of patients’ behavior, was associated with HEV prevalence among HIV-infected patients.

The role of microbiota in pathogenesis and development of viral infections

Introduction and purpose&#x0D; The microbiota plays an important role in human metabolism, immune system, and development of many chronic diseases, cancers, and infectious diseases. The aim of the study is to present the role of gut microbiota in viral infections, including HBV, Herpesviridae, HIV, and SARS-CoV-2. The newest publications from the last 5 years available on the PubMed database were taken into account.&#x0D; A brief description of the state of knowledge&#x0D; The mechanism by which bacterias have an impact on viral infection is based on a synthesis of specific short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and modulation of cytokine release and immune system function by bacterias. Domination of Gardnerella vaginalis and lack of Lactobacillus in the vaginal microbiome increased the risk of HSV-2 infection in women. Inflammation of the genital tract can influence susceptibility to HIV infection, but probiotics via enhancement of the gut barrier integrity, change TH17/Treg ratio, can restore microbiome composition. LPS - component of the structure of Gram-negative bacteria can be a marker of HBV infection. In the airway microbiome of patients with COVID-19 opportunistic microorganisms were identified.&#x0D; Conclusions &#x0D; Diet, intake of probiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) are interventions that might be efficient methods in prophylaxis and treatment of viral diseases. Further studies are needed to evaluate the mechanism of action of microbiome in pathogenesis of infectious diseases.

Baseline serum hepatitis B core antibody level predicts HBeAg seroconversion in patients with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B after antiviral treatment

Antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) is one of the most classical serological markers of HBV infection. This study aimed to investigate the association of serum anti-HBc and HBeAg seroconversion in patients with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) after antiviral treatment. Two hundred and seventeen HBeAg-positive CHB patients treated with entecavir (ETV) or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) for 48 weeks were retrospectively enrolled. Serological response (SR) is defined as HBeAg seroconversion at 48 weeks of antiviral treatment. Serum anti-HBc level was measured using the Abbott ARCHITECT assay. After 48 weeks of antiviral treatment, twenty-two (10.1 %) patients achieved SR. Baseline level of serum anti-HBc in the SR patients (11.8 S/CO) was significantly higher than patients with non-SR (9.6 S/CO, P < 0.001). The median anti-HBc level was significantly declined after 48 weeks of antiviral therapy (9.9 vs. 8.9 S/CO, P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed baseline of serum anti-HBc was an independent predictor of SR (odds ratio [OR]: 1.462, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.170–1.825, P = 0.001). The area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of baseline anti-HBc level for predicting SR was 0.781 with the cut-off of 11.1 S/CO, with a sensitivity of 77.27 % and a specificity of 72.82 %.Our findings highlighted that baseline serum anti-HBc level is a promising indictor for predicting HBeAg seroconversion in HBeAg-positive CHB patients after antiviral treatment.

Relationship between expression of HBV-infection markers in placenta and clinical data of mothers and their newborns

Vertical transmission of viral hepatitis B (HBV) is one of the main transmission ways in endemic regions. There is a relationship between structural changes in the placenta and the clinical course of HBV infection. The risk of vertical transmission of hepatitis B depends on the condition of the placenta.The goal of this work was to study the relationship between HBsAg and / or HBcorAg expression in placenta on the one hand, and clinical parameters of mothers and newborns on the other hand.The study included 19 patients with CHB who gave birth at the Botkins infectious disease hospital in 2019. The first group included patients with markers of HBV infection (HBsAg and / or HBcorAg) detectable via immunohistochemical examination in at least one of the layers of the placenta. In patients from the second group, no markers of HBV infection were detected in any layer of the placenta. Inflammatory changes in placenta were detected in all women from the first group and in 9 (64%) women from the second group. HBsAg in umbilical cord blood was detected in 3 (16%) newborns. In two patients, whose children had HBsAg in the umbilical cord blood, no markers of HBV infection were detected in placenta. In the first group, only one newborn had HBsAg in umbilical cord blood. In two patients receiving an antiviral treatment during pregnancy, markers of HBV infection were identified in the placenta. Markers of HBV infection in placenta were also detected in women with undetectable viral load.ConclusionsMarkers of HBV infection can be found in placenta at low maternal viral load.HBsAg in umbilical cord blood can be detected even in patients with no markers of HBV infection in placenta.Antiviral treatment during pregnancy does not prevent the possibility of placenta’s infection with HBV.

Parameters of blood short-chain peptides and digestive hydrolases in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection

The aim of the study was to examine specifics of changes in the level of stomach- and pancreas-released blood hydrolases in chronic viral hepatitis B and analyze the mechanisms underlying such changes. We assessed serum markers of HBV infection, liver enzymes tests as well as gastric and pancreatic hydrolase level. The patients examined were divided into three groups: control (healthy) and two study groups — HBV post-infection and chronic HBV infection. Patients with HBV post-infection had no significant deviations from normal range for blood level of gastric and pancreatic hydrolases. Patients with chronic HBV infection were found to contain increased blood level of amylase and lipase, which may evidence about increasing pancreatic functional activity and development of covert pancreatitis. At the same time, decline in the concentration of serum pepsinogen-1 below 40 μg/l could indicate about prominently decreased secretion of hydrochloric acid and development of atrophic gastritis, and it was found that the major factor contributing to development of such disorders was the short-chain peptide CCK-8, which utilization declines in patients with chronic HBV infection. CCK-8 can play a pivotal role in inhibiting stimulation of gastric acid secretion and controls gastric acid, plasma gastrin and somatostatin secretion. Cholecystokinin has been found to inhibit acid secretion by activating CCK type A receptors as well as via somatostatin-involving mechanism. The secretion of gastric somatostatin-14 increased by fivefold due to CCK-8 alone, but was blocked by the CCK-A receptor blocker loxiglumide. These data show that CCK-8 directly inhibits acid reactions by stimulating the release of gastric somatostatin indirectly through the CCK-A receptor. Thus, it can be assumed that normally CCK-8 is mainly utilized by the liver, which is altered during chronic hepatitis B resulting in elevated blood CCK-8 concentration. As a consequence, it enhances pancreatic secretion resulting in developing pancreatitis that is paralleled with inhibited gastric secretion and emerged atrophic gastritis.

Serological markers of Hepatitis B virus infection among Health Care Workers in Accra, Ghana

Introduction: The prevalence of HBV among the Ghanaian population is high and also occupational exposures to blood and body fluids that could potentially result in HBV infection is also high among HCWs. However the distribution of serological markers of HBV infection among Health care workers remains largely unknown. The aim of the study was to describe the distribution of HBV serological markers among the Ghanaian HCWs.&#x0D; Methods: A hospital based cross sectional survey involving 363 HCWs drawn from five health institutions selected through stratified random sampling procedure was undertaken. A structured pretested questionnaire was the research instrument that was utilized to collect data from health care workers who also gave 5mls of venous blood to be evaluated qualitatively for the presence of five serological markers of HBV. Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) procedure was subsequently undertaken to detect IgM HBcAb. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0.&#x0D; Results: The predominant HBV maker among the population was Anti-HBs; 57.4% (195/340) and the least was HBeAg; 1.5% (5/340). One third (123/340) of the HCWs were naïve to HBV. Lifetime exposure to HBV (Anti-HBc) prevalence was 8.2% (28/340) (95% CI= 5.0%-11). &#x0D; Conclusions: Even though Anti-HBs is the predominant antibody marker identified among the population of HCWs evaluated, one third of the participants still remain susceptible to HBV infection. Protective measures need to be instituted to prevent new infections among HCWs who are currently naïve to the virus. Sanitary workers or orderlies need to be given special consideration in HBV prevention campaigns.&#x0D;

Effect of HBV infection pattern on prevalence of fatty liver disease in Jinchang cohort

Objective: To investigate the influence of HBV infection on the prevalence of fatty liver disease in Jinchang cohort and provide theoretical evidence for the prevention and treatment of fatty liver disease. Methods: Epidemiological investigation, laboratory examination and abdominal ultrasound were conducted in the baseline population of Jinchang cohort to collect the basic data, the differences in the prevalence of fatty liver disease under different HBV infection patterns were described and compared and the influence of different HBV infection patterns on the prevalence of fatty liver disease were evaluated by using logistic regression analysis. Results: The baseline Jinchang cohort population totaled 45 605, including 27 917 males and 17 688 females. The male to female ratio was 1.6∶1. The mean age of the overall population was 46.49 years. Among the 8 common HBV infection modes in the Jinchang cohort, the prevalence of fatty liver was low in HBsAg, HBeAg and HBcAb positive, HBsAg and HBcAb positive, and HBsAg, HBeAb and HBcAb positive groups. For 4 serum markers of HBV infection, the prevalence of fatty liver disease in HBsAg and HBeAg positive groups was lower than that in HBsAg and HBeAg negative groups. Logistic regression analysis showed that being HBsAg and HBcAb positive (OR=0.61, 95%CI: 0.39-0.98) and HBsAg, HBeAg and HBcAb positive (OR=0.52, 95%CI: 0.30-0.89) could reduce the risk for fatty liver disease. Conclusion: Acute HBV infection reduces the prevalence of fatty liver disease, and the reason may be related to the disturbance of the body's fat metabolism by active HBV replication.

Effect of oxidative stress and calcium deregulation on FAM26F (CALHM6) expression during hepatitis B virus infection

BackgroundFamily with sequence similarity 26, member F (FAM26F) is an important innate immunity modulator playing a significant role in diverse immune responses, however, the association of FAM26F expression with HBV infection is not yet known. Thus, the current study aims to explore the differential expression of FAM26F in vitro in HepAD38 and HepG2 cell lines upon HBV infection, and in vivo in HBV infected individuals. The effects of antioxidant and calcium inhibitors on the regulation of FAM26F expression were also evaluated. The expression of FAM26F was simultaneously determined with well-established HBV infection markers: IRF3, and IFN-β.MethodsThe expression of FAM26F and marker genes was analyzed through Real-time qPCR and western blot.ResultsOur results indicate that the differential expression of FAM26F followed the same trend as that of IRF3 and IFN-β. The in vitro study revealed that, in both HBV infected cell lines, FAM26F expression was significantly down-regulated as compared to uninfected control cells. Treatment of cells with N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), EGTA-AM, BAPTA-AM, and Ru360 significantly upregulated the expression of FAM26F in both the cell lines. Moreover, in in vivo study, FAM26F expression was significantly downregulated in all HBV infected groups as compared to controls (p = 0.0007). The expression was higher in the HBV recovered cases, probably due to the decrease in infection and increase in the immunity of these individuals.ConclusionOur study is the first to show the association of FAM26F with HBV infection. It is proposed that FAM26F expression could be an early predictive marker for HBV infection, and thus is worthy of further investigation.

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) among People Living with HIV (PLWHIV) Attending at CTC Mawenzi Regional Hospital Kilimanjaro, Northern Tanzania

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis virus (HBV) coinfection are common due to shared modes of transmission between these viruses. Also studies have shown that HIV appears to be a risk factor for reactivation of hepatitis B in patients who have developed hepatitis B surface antibodies HBsAg which is considered as a marker of chronic HBV infection. The magnitude of HIV/HBV coinfection among people living with HIV in Tanzania is not well known. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and associated factors of HBsAg among HIV Positive Clients at CTC at Mawenzi Regional Hospital. Methods: It was a cross sectional study that included 100 HIV Positive CTC clients at Mawenzi Regional Hospital. Ethical clearance was obtained at KCMUCo ethical committee, structured questionnaires with closed-ended question were used to collect the information needed done by interviewing the person, blood sample was collected from median cubital vein and HBsAg Rapid Test Strips were used. Data processing and analysis were done using SPSS version 20. Results: Of 100 HIV patients, only 8 (8%) tested positively for HBsAg. There was a significant association between residence and HBV infection. People from rural areas had high prevalence compared to urban areas (OR 8.71, 95% CI: 1.029 - 73.66). Other social demographic and clinical characteristics in this study had no significant association with HBsAg positivity. Conclusion: Significant numbers of 8% HIV patients are HBsAg positive. HIV patients from rural residency are more likely to acquire HBV than Urban residents that showed significant association.

Infectious and non-infectious diseases burden among Haitian immigrants in Chile: a cross-sectional study

Chile has become a popular destination for migrants from South America and the Caribbean (low- and middle-income countries migration). Close to 200.000 Haitian migrants have arrived in Chile. Infectious and non-infectious disease burden among the Haitian adult population living in Chile is unknown. This study aimed to acquire the basic health information (selected transmissible and non-transmissible conditions) of the Haitian adult population living in Chile. A cross-sectional survey was performed, inviting Haitian-born residents in Chile older than 18 years old. Common conditions and risk factors for disease were assessed, as well as selected transmissible conditions (HIV, HBV, and HCV). 498 participants (60.4% female) from 10 communities in two regions of Chile were surveyed. Most subjects had never smoked (91.5%), and 80% drank less than one alcohol unit per month. The mean BMI was 25.6, with 45% of participants having a normal BMI (20–25). Hypertension was present in 31.5% (33% in the 25–44 age group). Prevalence of HIV was 2.4% (95 CI 1.3–4.2%), hepatitis B (HBsAg positive) was 3.4% (95 CI 2.1–5.5%), and hepatitis C was 0% (95 CI 0.0–0.9%). Quality of life showed a significant prevalence of depression and anxiety markers, particularly in those arriving in Chile less than 1 year ago. Low prevalence of obesity, diabetes, smoking, and drinking and estimated cardiovascular risk were found. Nonetheless, hypertension at a younger age, disproportionately higher prevalence of HIV and HBV infection and frequent markers of anxiety and depression were also found. Public policies for detecting and treating hypertension, HIV, and HBV screening, offering HBV vaccination, and organizing mental health programs for Haitian immigrants, are urgently needed.

De novo synthesis of hepatitis B virus nucleocapsids is dispensable for the maintenance and transcriptional regulation of cccDNA

Background & AimsChronic HBV infection cannot be cured by current therapeutics owing to their limited ability to reduce covalently closed circular (ccc)DNA levels in the livers of infected individuals. Therefore, greater understanding of the molecular determinants of cccDNA formation and persistence is required. One key issue is the extent to which de novo nucleocapsid-mediated replenishment (reimport) contributes to cccDNA levels in an infected hepatocyte.MethodsWe engineered an infectious HBV mutant with a genome encoding a stop codon at position T67 in the HBV core open reading frame (ΔHBc HBV). Importantly, ΔHBc HBV virions cannot initiate nucleocapsid synthesis upon infection. Long-term in vitro HBV infection markers were followed for up for 9 weeks in HepG2-NTCP cells (A3 clone) and HBV DNA was quantified using a newly-developed, highly-precise PCR assay (cccDNA inversion quantitative PCR).ResultsΔHBc and wild-type (WT) HBV resulted in comparable expression of HBV surface antigen (HBsAg), which could be blocked using the entry inhibitor Myrcludex B, confirming bona fide infection via the receptor sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP). In primary human hepatocytes, Huh7-NTCP, HepG2-NTCP, and HepaRG-NTCP cells, comparable copy numbers of cccDNA were formed. cccDNA levels, transcription of viral RNA, and HBsAg secretion remained comparably stable in WT and ΔHBc HBV-infected cells for at least 9 weeks.ConclusionsOur results imply that de novo synthesised HBc plays a minor role in transcriptional regulation of cccDNA. Importantly, we show that initially-formed cccDNA is stable in hepatocytes without requiring continuous replenishment in in vitro infection systems and contribution from de novo DNA-containing nucleocapsids is not required. Thus, short-term therapeutic targeting of capsid-reimport is likely an inefficient strategy in eliminating cccDNA in chronically infected hepatocytes.Lay summaryThe hepatitis B virus can maintain itself in the liver for a patient's lifetime, causing liver injury and cancer. We have clarified exactly how it maintains itself in an infected cell. This now means we have a better idea at how to target the virus and cure a chronic infection.