Circulation of hepatitis delta virus and occult hepatitis B virus infection amongst HIV/HBV co-infected patients in Korle-Bu, Ghana
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Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
PLOS
Abstract
Background
Within HIV/HBV infected patients, an increase in HDV infection has been observed; there is
inadequate information on HDV prevalence as well as virologic profile in Ghana. This study
sought to determine the presence of HDV in HIV/HBV co-infected patients in Ghana.
Methods
This was a longitudinal purposive study which enrolled 113 HIV/HBV co-infected patients
attending clinic at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) in Accra, Ghana. After consenting, 5
mL whole blood was collected at two-time points (baseline and 4–6 months afterwards). The
sera obtained were tested to confirm the presence of HIV, HBV antibodies and/or antigens,
and HBV DNA. Antibodies and viral RNA were also determined for HDV. Amplified HBV
DNA and HDV RNA were sequenced and phylogenetic analysis carried out with reference
sequences from the GenBank to establish the genotypes.
Results
Of the 113 samples tested 63 (55.7%) were females and 50 (44.25%) were males with a
median age of 45 years. A total of 100 (88.5%) samples had detectable HBV surface antigen
(HBsAg), and 32 out of the 113 had detectable HBV DNA. Nucleotide sequences were
obtained for 15 and 2 samples of HBV and HDV, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis was
predominantly genotype E for the HBVs and genotype 1 for the HDVs. Of the 13 samples
that were HBsAg unreactive, 4 (30.8%) had detectable HBV DNA suggesting the incidence
of occult HBV infections. The percentage occurrence of HDV in this study was observed to
be 3.54.
Conclusion
Our data suggest the presence and circulation of HDV and incidence of occult HBV infection
in HIV/HBV co-infected patients in Ghana. This informs health staff and makes it imperative
to look out for the presence of HDV and occult HBV in HIV/HBV co-infected patients presenting with potential risk of liver cancers and HBV transmission through haemodialysis and
blood transfusions.
Description
Research Article