Hyperendemicity and genotype diversity of hepatitis B virus among patients attending the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a significant global public health issue, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, due to inadequate healthcare and research into its genetic epidemiology. This study aims to determine the frequency of HBV antigens, antibodies, and genotypes among febrile patients attending the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), Nigeria.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study enrolled 100 patients, whose blood samples were collected and screened for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) and four other structural antigens and antibodies by Lateral Flow Assay. All HBsAg-positive samples were genotyped using type-specific polymerase chain reactions. Structured questionnaires were used to collate the sociodemographic variables of the patients.

RESULTS

HBsAg-seropositivity was 31%. The distribution of HBV genotypes was as follows: genotype E was predominant (22.6%), followed by genotype B (16.1%). Of the HBsAg-positive individuals, all were HBsAb-seronegative, 3.2%, 74.2%, and 90.3% were HBeAg, HbeAb, and HBcAb seropositive, respectively. Genotypes B, C, and D were detected in 16.1%, 3.2%, and 3.2%, respectively. Based on the number of HBV genotypes per individual, 9.7% had a single genotype, 16.1% had double genotypes, and 74.2% had triple genotypes. Higher educational qualification was significantly associated with triple HBV genotypes per individual (=0.04).

CONCLUSION

Very high seroprevalence of HBV was found and genotype E predominated. The presence of within-host multiple HBV genotypes was identified for the first time in Nigeria. This indicates the genetic heterogeneity of HBV in northern Nigeria and suggests potential effects on the control measures available.