Browsing by Author "Blackard, J.T."
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Item Human pegivirus (HPgV) infection in Ghanaians co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV)(Springer New York LLC, 2018) N’Guessan, K.F.; Boyce, C.; Kwara, A.; Archampong, T.N.A.; Lartey, M.; Sagoe, K.W.; Kenu, E.; Obo-Akwa, A.; Blackard, J.T.Human pegivirus (HPgV) is a positive single-stranded RNA virus in the Flaviviridae family. Phylogenetic analysis reveals the presence of multiple HPgV genotypes with distinct geographic locations. HPgV is of interest because of its potential beneficial impact on HIV disease progression. Despite this, the effects of HPgV in the context of other viral infections, such as hepatitis B virus (HBV), are poorly understood, and data from resource-limited settings are scarce. Therefore, we conducted a cross-sectional analysis of HPgV in HIV/HBV co-infected patients in Ghana. Sera from 100 HIV/HBV co-infected individuals were evaluated for HPgV RNA, and the genotype determined by sequencing the 5′ untranslated region. HPgV RNA was detected in 27 samples (27%). Of these, 26 were genotyped successfully with 23 belonging to HPgV genotype 1 and 3 belonging to HPgV genotype 2. The presence of HPgV RNA had no statistically significant impact on CD4 cell count or HBV DNA titers in the HIV/HBV co-infected patients. However, there was a trend towards decreased HBV DNA levels in HPgV RNA-positive patients with CD4 cell count < 200 (p = 0.0626). HPgV co-infection is common in Ghana. The effect of HPgV on HIV or HBV disease among HIV/HBV co-infected patients was minimal. However, decreased HBV DNA levels in HPgV RNA-positive patients with low CD4 cell counts highlight the need for prospective studies of HPgV in HIV and hepatitis co-infected patients, especially in those with advanced HIV disease, to study further the effects of HPgV on liver disease. © 2018, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.Item Identification and Comparative Analysis of Hepatitis B Virus Genotype D/E Recombinants in Africa(Virus Genes, 2017-05) Boyce, C.L.; Ganova-Raeva, L.; Archampong, T.N.A.; Lartey, M.; Sagoe, K.W.; Obo-Akwa, A.; Kenu, E.; Kwara, A.; Blackard, J.T.Globally, there are approximately 240 million people chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-a major cause of hepatocellular carcinoma. Ten different HBV genotypes (A-J) have been identified with distinct geographic distributions. Novel variants generated by recombination between different HBV genotypes have been documented worldwide and represent an important element of genetic variability with possible clinical implications. Here, the complete genome sequence of an HBV genotype D/E recombinant from Ghana is reported. The full-length sequence was obtained using rolling circle amplification followed by PCR and sequenced using next-generation sequencing (NGS). A consensus sequence was extracted from the NGS data and underwent phylogenetic analysis to determine genotype, as well as the recombination pattern. Subsequently, the sequence was compared to recombinants described previously in Africa. Based on MCMC phylogenetic analysis, SimPlot recombination analyses, and intragroup genetic distance, the isolate 007N full-length genome is unique compared to other reported D/E recombinants in Africa.Item Identification of Hepatitis B Virus Genotype A/E Recombinants in Ghana(Virus Genes, 2019-07) Boyce, C.L.; Willis, S.; Archampong, T.N.A.; Lartey, M.; Sagoe, K.W.; Obo-Akwa, A.; Kenu, E.; Kwara, A.; Blackard, J.T.Hepatitis B virus (HBV) exhibits a high degree of heterogeneity with at least 10 genotypes (A-J) identified to date. Intergenotypic recombination is relatively common. Previously, we investigated HBV drug resistance in HIV/HBV co-infected individuals in Ghana. After identifying multiple circulating genotypes and a novel D/E recombinant, we sought to determine if additional individuals were also infected with recombinant HBV. Partial genome sequences from three individuals were initially identified as genotype A4. Full-length HBV genomes were obtained using rolling circle amplification followed by PCR and shown to cluster with known A/E recombinant viruses. Similar recombination breakpoints were observed in these three individuals suggesting local spread of this novel recombinant HBV in Ghana.Item Zika Virus Exposure in an HIV-Infected Cohort in Ghana(Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, 2018-08) Sherman, K.E.; Rouster, S.D.; Kong, L.X.; Shata, T.M.; Archampong, T.; Kwara, A.; Aliota, M.T.; Blackard, J.T.Objective: To determine the prevalence and epidemiologic associations of Zika Virus (ZIKV) in HIV-infected patients in Ghana, West Africa. Methods: We examined the seroprevalence of ZIKV in HIV/HBV co-infected persons in Ghana from sera samples collected from 2012 to 2014 using ELISA assays and plaque reduction neutralization tests (PRNT). Results: Overall, ZIKV antibody was detected in 12.9% of 236 tested samples, though the true estimate of exposure is probably less due cross-reactions with other related viruses. PRNTs were performed on a subset to provide an estimate of the frequency of false positive reaction. Dengue virus testing was also performed and antibody prevalence was 87.2%. The median CD4 count was 436 (range 2-1781 cell/mm) and did not affect antibody results. Regional geographic ethnicity was associated with ZIKV exposure. Discussion: Overall, these data suggest that ZIKV infection is a relatively prevalent infection in HIV-positive persons in Ghana though not as common as dengue. Further evaluation of the effect of ZIKV and HIV co-infection is warranted given the large geographical overlap of populations exposed to both viruses.