Molecular epidemiology of Hepatitis B virus in Córdoba, Argentina

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Abstract

Background

The analysis of the genomes of hepatitis B virus (HBV) identifies phylogenetic variants called genotypes, which may lead to distinct biological and clinical behaviors.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to describe the current molecular epidemiology and genetic diversity of HBV in Córdoba, Argentina.

Study design

A total of 52 HBV samples, 40 from HBV mono-infected and 12 from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-HBV co-infected patients, were sequenced in the S gene and in the basal core promoter-precore (BCP-pC) region.

Results

Presence of subgenotypes F1b (35%) and F4 (17.5%), subgenotype A2 (37.5%), C (5.0%) (subgenotype could not be defined) and D (5.0%) (subgenotype D2, and the other could not be defined) were observed among mono-infected patients. The co-infected individuals displayed a different genotype distribution: sub-genotype A2 was the most common (75.0%), followed by subgenotype F1b (25.0%).

Conclusions

These results showed two epidemiologic scenarios: the mono-infected population may represent the ethnic composition of the current human population of Córdoba, where the Amerindian (genotype F) and European origins (subgenotype A2) account for the 90% of the samples; for the co-infected patients, the high prevalence of subgenotype A2 resemble previous analyses from Buenos Aires. In addition, mutations in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), polymerase and BCP-pC regions were identified, mainly in chronic or co-infected patients.

Section snippets

Background

It is estimated that more than 2 billion people have been infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) [1], and 350 million individuals have been diagnosed with chronic HBV infection worldwide [2], [3].

Based on a genetic diversity of 8% in the entire genomic sequence, the HBV has been classified at least into nine genotypes (A-I) which have a worldwide geographical distribution [4], [5]. These distribution of HBV genotypes (gt) and subtypes (sgt) are markedly heterogeneous throughout the world, even

Objectives

The aim of this study was to molecularly characterize HBV isolates from central Argentina (Córdoba province), in order to determine the gt, sgt and the presence of mutations of potential clinical relevance.

Samples

This was a retrospective study (from January 2009 to December 2011) of 52 adult, unrelated individuals with HBV infection, determined by the presence of surface antigen (HBsAg), inhabitants of Córdoba City, and other small cities and towns from Córdoba province.

Phylogenetic analysis

Based on the phylogenetic analysis, the 40 sequences obtained from mono-infected patients grouped as following: 14 belonged to sgt F1b (35%), 7 to sgt F4 (17.5%), 15 to sgt A2 (37.5%), 2 to gt C (5%), and 2 to gt D (5%). Samples assigned to gt C could not be subgenotyped (n = 2); for gt D, one sample grouped within sgt D2, and the other could not be defined. Among HIV/HBV co-infected patients, sgt A2 was the most prevalent (75%), followed by sgt F1b (25%) (Fig. 1).

Statistical analyses showed

Discussion

The present study reveals the gt distribution of HBV in Córdoba, Argentina, showing the presence of two distinct epidemiological scenarios, according to the study group: HBV mono-infected and HBV–HIV co-infected patients. The 40 samples from mono-infected individuals grouped as: gts F (52.5%), A (37.5%), C (5.0%) and D (5.0%). The gt F distribution at Córdoba province present an intermediate value between those observed for Buenos Aires (around 30%) [17] and for Northwest Provinces (around 90%)

Funding

This study was supported by grants of Secyt-National University of Córdoba (Secyt: 05/H343) and Alberto J. Roemmers Fundation (2012–2013).

Conflict of interests

None declared.

Ethical approval

This work is part of a research project inscribed and approved by the ethics committee of the Health Ministry of the Province of Cordoba (RepisNro002).

Authors’ contributions

VR and RC were involved in the study design, the analysis of the data and in the process of writing the manuscript. FG, LC and MMW carried out the experiments. FG, MBP, CT and MB were involved in the analysis of data and in the process of writing the manuscript. CT and RC performed statistical and phylogenetic analyses.

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Osvaldo Elbarcha, who facilitated us the samples, and Javier Aguilar, who helped us in the preparation of the figure.

MBP and CT are recipients of CONICET post-doctoral fellowships of Argentina. VR and RC are members of the researcher career of CONICET, Argentina.

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