Livia Melo Villar1, Vanessa Salete de Paula2, Barbara Vieira do Lago3, Juliana Custódio Miguel3, Helena Medina Cruz3, Moyra Machado Portilho3, Vanessa Alves Marques3, Roberto Pérez Ravier4, Ivana Lo Castro4, Héctor Cuello4, Carlos Espul4. 1. Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Helio and Peggy Pereira Pavillion-Ground Floor-Room B09, FIOCRUZ Av. Brasil, Manguinhos, 4365, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 210360-040, Brazil. lvillar@ioc.fiocruz.br. 2. Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Oswald Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 3. Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, FIOCRUZ, Helio and Peggy Pereira Pavillion-Ground Floor-Room B09, FIOCRUZ Av. Brasil, Manguinhos, 4365, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 210360-040, Brazil. 4. Virology Section, Central Hospital Mendoza, Mendoza, Argentina.
Abstract
Little information is available regarding the prevalence of viral hepatitis in Central West Argentina. This study aims to give new information regarding HBV and HCV prevalence, genotypes, and risk factors in Central West Argentina and the suitability of dried blood spot (DBS) sampling for HBV and HCV screening. METHODS: A total of 622 individuals were included; the mean age was 36.6 ± 14.3 years and 55.4% were females. HBV and HCV markers were detected using serological and molecular analysis, and risk factors were evaluated using statistical analysis. RESULTS: Using serum samples, the HBsAg prevalence was 1.8%, the rate of HBV exposure (anti-HBc positivity) was 5.3%, and the rate of HBV immunity was 34.9%. HBV DNA was found in four out of 11 HBsAg+ samples, and the viruses in three of these samples were classified as genotypes A1, A2 and F2a. Multivariate analysis showed that anti-HBs positivity was associated with the level of schooling and history of HBV vaccination. The anti-HCV prevalence was 2.6%, and HCV RNA was found in 11 samples, seven of which contained viruses of genotypes 1a (n = 2), 1b (n = 3) and 2 (n = 2). The sensitivity of the DBS assay for HBsAg, anti-HBc, and anti-HCV was 100%, 66.6%, and 75%, respectively, and the specificity was above 98% for all markers when compared to serum. CONCLUSION: A low rate of HBV immunity was observed, demonstrating the importance of HBV vaccination. High HCV prevalence was found, and HCV 1b was closely related to other Argentinian isolates. Finally, the performance of DBS testing in this population needs more optimization to increase its sensitivity and specificity.
Little information is available regarding the prevalence of viral hepatitis in Central West Argentina. This study aims to give new information regarding HBV and HCV prevalence, genotypes, and risk factors in Central West Argentina and the suitability of dried blood spot (DBS) sampling for HBV and HCV screening. METHODS: A total of 622 individuals were included; the mean age was 36.6 ± 14.3 years and 55.4% were females. HBV and HCV markers were detected using serological and molecular analysis, and risk factors were evaluated using statistical analysis. RESULTS: Using serum samples, the HBsAg prevalence was 1.8%, the rate of HBV exposure (anti-HBc positivity) was 5.3%, and the rate of HBV immunity was 34.9%. HBV DNA was found in four out of 11 HBsAg+ samples, and the viruses in three of these samples were classified as genotypes A1, A2 and F2a. Multivariate analysis showed that anti-HBs positivity was associated with the level of schooling and history of HBV vaccination. The anti-HCV prevalence was 2.6%, and HCV RNA was found in 11 samples, seven of which contained viruses of genotypes 1a (n = 2), 1b (n = 3) and 2 (n = 2). The sensitivity of the DBS assay for HBsAg, anti-HBc, and anti-HCV was 100%, 66.6%, and 75%, respectively, and the specificity was above 98% for all markers when compared to serum. CONCLUSION: A low rate of HBV immunity was observed, demonstrating the importance of HBV vaccination. High HCV prevalence was found, and HCV 1b was closely related to other Argentinian isolates. Finally, the performance of DBS testing in this population needs more optimization to increase its sensitivity and specificity.
Authors: Fahimah Amini; Erick Auma; Yingfen Hsia; Sam Bilton; Tom Hall; Laxmee Ramkhelawon; Paul T Heath; Kirsty Le Doare Journal: PLoS One Date: 2021-03-15 Impact factor: 3.240