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Glyschewski L, Hahn A, Rohde H, Lütgehetmann M, Feldt T, Sarfo FS, Phillips RO, Dompreh A, Asibey SO, Boateng R, Weinreich F, Frickmann H, Eberhardt KA. Replicative co-infections with human immunodeficiency virus 1 and 2 as well as hepatitis B and C virus in Ghanaian individuals. Eur J Microbiol Immunol (Bp) 2024; 14:346-360. [PMID: 39475752 PMCID: PMC11836648 DOI: 10.1556/1886.2024.00103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2024] [Accepted: 10/14/2024] [Indexed: 12/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The study assessed replicative human immunodeficiency virus-(HIV-) infection and replicative co-infections as well as molecular determinants of reduced susceptibility towards anti-retroviral therapy in a Ghanaian population of known HIV patients and a control group. Methods Real-time PCRs for HIV-1, HIV-2, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) were run with serum samples from known Ghanaian HIV-patients (n = 975) and control individuals (n = 105). For 108 individuals, HIV-sequence analysis was performed. Results Prevalence of replicative HIV-1 infection was 59.8% (583/975) in the known HIV-positive population and 2.9% (3/105) in the controls. Prevalences of replicative HBV-infection were comparable with 3.4% (33/975) in the HIV-positive individuals and 3.8% (4/105) in the controls. HIV-2 and HCV sequences were not recorded. Almost perfect concordance between two compared HIV-1-PCR assays was indicated by Fleiss' Kappa >0.8. Sanger sequencing indicated CRF_02AG, G and A3 as the quantitatively dominating HIV-1 subtypes, a minority of 3.4% CXCR4 tropism and high detection rates of mutations mediating reduced susceptibility towards nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (71.9%, 64/89), non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (95.5%, 85/89), protease inhibitors (95.9%, 93/97) and integrase inhibitors (22.4%, 22/98). Conclusions The assessment did not suggest HIV-triggered increased replication of HBV and HCV in the investigated Ghanaian population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynn Glyschewski
- Department of Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Bundeswehr Hospital Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Hahn
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medicine Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Holger Rohde
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Marc Lütgehetmann
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Torsten Feldt
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, University Medical Center Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Fred Stephen Sarfo
- Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
- Department of Medicine, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana
| | | | - Albert Dompreh
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana
| | | | - Richard Boateng
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana
| | | | - Hagen Frickmann
- Department of Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Bundeswehr Hospital Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medicine Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Kirsten Alexandra Eberhardt
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine & I. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center, Hamburg, Germany
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Ayers AG, Victoriano CM, Sia SK. Integrated device for plasma separation and nucleic acid extraction from whole blood toward point-of-care detection of bloodborne pathogens. LAB ON A CHIP 2024; 24:5124-5136. [PMID: 39421980 PMCID: PMC11487500 DOI: 10.1039/d4lc00571f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 10/02/2024] [Indexed: 10/19/2024]
Abstract
Sample preparation presents a major challenge in point-of-care (POC) diagnostic assays, including ones requiring whole blood as the starting specimen. This study presents an integrated sample preparation device - which we call PRECISE - that performs both plasma separation and nucleic acid extraction, enabling streamlined sample preparation from whole blood requiring only a commercially available blood collection tool and a syringe, and no other external equipment or electricity. Plasma separation is performed using a dual-membrane filter (which filters out blood components while limiting membrane clogging) integrated into the cartridge, and nucleic acid extraction is performed by users moving magnets (to mix the samples, and along a guided track). The plasma filtration demonstrated recovery on par with lab-based centrifugation, and the extraction module showed performance similar to benchtop-based magnetic bead extraction. A sample-to-result demonstration on 50 μL of whole blood spiked with virions of hepatitis C virus (HCV), operating the PRECISE cartridge in 16 minutes followed by benchtop PCR, showed a limit of detection (∼6770 IU mL-1) on the order of the minimal requirements of target product profile for POC HCV detection. Future work on the PRECISE cartridge, building on POC accessibility and fast sample preparation demonstrated in this work, may enable detection of bloodborne pathogens from whole-blood specimens collected at the POC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail G Ayers
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA.
| | | | - Samuel K Sia
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA.
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Vo-Quang E, Pawlotsky JM. 'Unusual' HCV genotype subtypes: origin, distribution, sensitivity to direct-acting antiviral drugs and behaviour on antiviral treatment and retreatment. Gut 2024; 73:1570-1582. [PMID: 38782565 PMCID: PMC11347264 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2024-332177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
The high genetic diversity of hepatitis C virus (HCV) has led to the emergence of eight genotypes and a large number of subtypes in limited geographical areas. Currently approved pangenotypic DAA regimens have been designed and developed to be effective against the most common subtypes (1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 2c, 3a, 4a, 5a and 6a). However, large populations living in Africa and Asia, or who have migrated from these regions to industrialised countries, are infected with 'unusual', non-epidemic HCV subtypes, including some that are inherently resistant to currently available direct-acting antiviral (DAA) drugs due to the presence of natural polymorphisms at resistance-associated substitution positions. In this review article, we describe the origin and subsequent global spread of HCV genotypes and subtypes, the current global distribution of common and unusual HCV subtypes, the polymorphisms naturally present in the genome sequences of unusual HCV subtypes that may confer inherently reduced susceptibility to DAA drugs and the available data on the response of unusual HCV subtypes to first-line HCV therapy and retreatment. We conclude that the problem of unusual HCV subtypes that are inherently resistant to DAAs and its threat to the global efforts to eliminate viral hepatitis are largely underestimated and warrant vigorous action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erwan Vo-Quang
- National Reference Centre for Viral Hepatitis B, C and D, Department of Virology, Hôpital Henri Mondor (AP-HP), Université Paris-Est, Créteil, France
- Institut Mondor de Recherche Biomédicale (INSERM U955), Créteil, France
- Department of Hepatology, Hôpital Henri Mondor (AP-HP), Université Paris-Est, Créteil, France
| | - Jean-Michel Pawlotsky
- National Reference Centre for Viral Hepatitis B, C and D, Department of Virology, Hôpital Henri Mondor (AP-HP), Université Paris-Est, Créteil, France
- Institut Mondor de Recherche Biomédicale (INSERM U955), Créteil, France
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Ahovègbé L, Shah R, Kpossou AR, Davis C, Niebel M, Filipe A, Goldstein E, Alassan KS, Keke R, Sehonou J, Kodjoh N, Gbedo SE, Ray S, Wilkie C, Vattipally S, Tong L, Kamba PF, Gbenoudon SJ, Gunson R, Ogwang P, Thomson EC. Hepatitis C virus diversity and treatment outcomes in Benin: a prospective cohort study. THE LANCET. MICROBE 2024; 5:697-706. [PMID: 38889738 DOI: 10.1016/s2666-5247(24)00041-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND 10 million people are chronically infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) in sub-Saharan Africa. The assessment of viral genotypes and treatment response in this region is necessary to achieve the WHO target of worldwide elimination of viral hepatitis by 2030. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of HCV genotypes and outcomes of treatment with direct-acting antiviral agents in Benin, a country with a national HCV seroprevalence of 4%. METHODS This prospective cohort study was conducted at two referral hospitals in Benin. Individuals were eligible for inclusion if they were seropositive for HCV and willing to consent to participation in the study; exclusion criteria were an inability to give consent or incarceration. Viraemia was confirmed by PCR. The primary outcomes were to identify HCV genotypes and measure sustained virological response rates 12 weeks after completion of treatment (SVR12) with a 12-week course of sofosbuvir-velpatasvir or sofosbuvir-ledipasvir, with or without ribavirin. We conducted phylogenetic and resistance analyses after the next-generation sequencing of samples with a cycle threshold (Ct) value of 30 or fewer cycles. The in-vitro efficacy of NS5A inhibitors was tested using a subgenomic replicon assay. FINDINGS Between June 2, 2019, and Dec 30, 2020, 148 individuals were screened for eligibility, of whom 100 were recruited prospectively to the study. Plasma samples from 79 (79%) of the 100 participants were positive for HCV by PCR. At the time of the study, 52 (66%) of 79 patients had completed treatment, with an SVR12 rate of 94% (49 of 52). 57 (72%) of 79 samples had a Ct value of 30 or fewer cycles and were suitable for whole-genome sequencing, from which we characterised 29 (51%) samples as genotype 1 and 28 (49%) as genotype 2. Three new genotype 1 subtypes (1q, 1r, and 1s) and one new genotype 2 subtype (2xa) were identified. The most commonly detected subtype was 2d (12 [21%] of 57 samples), followed by 1s (eight [14%]), 1r (five [9%]), 1b (four [7%]), 1q (three [5%]), 2xa (three [5%]), and 2b (two [3%]). 20 samples (11 genotype 2 and nine genotype 1) were unassigned new singleton lineages. 53 (93%) of 57 sequenced samples had at least two resistance-associated substitutions within the NS5A gene. Subtype 2d was associated with a lower-than-expected SVR12 rate (eight [80%] of ten patients). For one patient, with subtype 2b, treatment was not successful. INTERPRETATION This study revealed a high SVR rate in Benin among individuals treated for HCV with sofosbuvir-velpatasvir, including those with highly diverse viral genotypes. Further studies of treatment effectiveness in genotypes 2d and 2b are indicated. FUNDING Medical Research Council, Wellcome, Global Challenges Research Fund, Academy of Medical Sciences, and PHARMBIOTRAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucrèce Ahovègbé
- Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda; MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, UK.
| | - Rajiv Shah
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, UK
| | - Aboudou Raïmi Kpossou
- Clinique Universitaire d'Hépato-gastroentérologie, Centre National Hospitalier et Universitaire Hubert Koutoukou Maga, Cotonou, Benin
| | - Chris Davis
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, UK
| | - Marc Niebel
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, UK
| | - Ana Filipe
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, UK
| | - Emily Goldstein
- West of Scotland Specialist Virology Centre, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - René Keke
- Programme National de Lutte contre le SIDA, Cotonou, Benin
| | - Jean Sehonou
- Clinique Universitaire d'Hépato-gastroentérologie, Centre National Hospitalier et Universitaire Hubert Koutoukou Maga, Cotonou, Benin
| | - Nicolas Kodjoh
- Programme National de Lutte contre les Hépatites, Cotonou, Benin
| | | | - Surajit Ray
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Craig Wilkie
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Lily Tong
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, UK
| | - Pakoyo F Kamba
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - S Judith Gbenoudon
- Laboratory of Immunology, Infectious and Allergic Diseases, Institute of Applied Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin
| | - Rory Gunson
- West of Scotland Specialist Virology Centre, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Patrick Ogwang
- Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Emma C Thomson
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, UK; London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
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Laperche S, Sauvage C, Gallian P, Jbilou S, Pouchol E, Py JY, Chabli L, Richard P, Morel P, Lot F, Tiberghien P. Human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis C virus and hepatitis B virus incidence in blood donors from 2000 to 2020 in France: Trends and lessons from haemovigilance surveillance. Vox Sang 2023; 118:843-853. [PMID: 37694766 DOI: 10.1111/vox.13514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Data from 21 years (2000-2020) of haemovigilance were used to assess human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) incidence rates in repeat blood donors and the occurrence of transfusion-transmitted (TT) viral infections. MATERIALS AND METHODS Blood donors who converted for HIV, HCV or HBV markers within serial three-year analysis periods were included. Epidemiological and virological data were retrieved from the national epidemiological donor database and were supplemented with information on blood components and the infection status of recipients of the previous negative donation (D.N-1) of donors who seroconverted. RESULTS Incidence rates declined from 1.27 to 0.35/100,000 person-years for HIV, from 0.59 to 0.19 for HCV and from 1.66 to 0.18 for HBV. Risk factors and lookback for 232 HIV, 90 HCV and 74 HBV seroconversions were investigated. The main risk factor identified at post-donation interview was having sex with men (47.8% of males) for HIV and a sexual risk for HCV (30.6%) and HBV (37.1%). The viral loads and sequences were retrospectively tested in 191 HIV, 74 HCV and 62 HBV D.N-1 archived samples. Six (five HBV and one HIV-1) were positive all low viral loads. Two recipients were infected by red blood cells from two HBV seroconverting donors before the introduction of HBV-nucleic acid testing. CONCLUSION HIV, HCV and HBV incidence rates in blood donors declined over the two past decades in France. There is a very small risk of a blood component that tests negative entering the blood supply resulting in TT infections, especially after introduction of molecular assays in donor screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syria Laperche
- Etablissement Français du Sang, La Plaine Saint-Denis, France
- National Reference Centre for infectious risks in transfusion, Institut National de la Transfusion Sanguine, Paris, France
| | | | - Pierre Gallian
- Etablissement Français du Sang, La Plaine Saint-Denis, France
| | - Saadia Jbilou
- Etablissement Français du Sang, La Plaine Saint-Denis, France
| | - Elodie Pouchol
- Etablissement Français du Sang, La Plaine Saint-Denis, France
| | - Jean Yves Py
- Etablissement Français du Sang, La Plaine Saint-Denis, France
| | - Lila Chabli
- Etablissement Français du Sang, La Plaine Saint-Denis, France
| | - Pascale Richard
- Etablissement Français du Sang, La Plaine Saint-Denis, France
| | - Pascal Morel
- Etablissement Français du Sang, La Plaine Saint-Denis, France
- UMR RIGHT 1098, Université de Franche-Comté INSERM, Etablissement Français du Sang, Besançon, France
| | | | - Pierre Tiberghien
- Etablissement Français du Sang, La Plaine Saint-Denis, France
- UMR RIGHT 1098, Université de Franche-Comté INSERM, Etablissement Français du Sang, Besançon, France
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Abe H, Ushijima Y, Bikangui R, Ondo GN, Pemba CM, Zadeh VR, Mpingabo PI, Ueda H, Agnandji ST, Lell B, Yasuda J. Genetic Diversity of Hepatitis B and C Viruses Revealed by Continuous Surveillance from 2015 to 2021 in Gabon, Central Africa. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2046. [PMID: 37630606 PMCID: PMC10458803 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11082046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Viral hepatitis remains one of the largest public health concerns worldwide. Especially in Central Africa, information on hepatitis virus infections has been limited, although the prevalence in this region has been reported to be higher than the global average. To reveal the current status of hepatitis B and C virus (HBV and HCV) infections and the genetic diversity of the viruses, we conducted longitudinal surveillance in Gabon. We detected 22 HBV and 9 HCV infections in 2047 patients with febrile illness. Genetic analyses of HBV identified subgenotype A1 for the first time in Gabon and an insertion generating a frameshift to create an X-preC/C fusion protein. We also revealed that most of the detected HCVs belonged to the "Gabon-specific" HCV subtype 4e (HCV-4e), and the entire nucleotide sequence of the HCV-4e polyprotein was determined to establish the first reference sequence. The HCV-4e strains possessed resistance-associated substitutions similar to those of other HCV-4 strains, indicating that the use of direct-acting antiviral therapy may be complex. These results provide a better understanding of the current situation of hepatitis B and C virus infections in Central Africa and will help public health organizations develop effective countermeasures to eliminate chronic viral hepatitis in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruka Abe
- Department of Emerging Infectious Diseases, National Research Center for the Control and Prevention of Infectious Diseases (CCPID), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan; (H.A.); (C.M.P.); (V.R.Z.); (P.I.M.); (H.U.)
- Department of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan;
- Vietnam Research Station, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
| | - Yuri Ushijima
- Department of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan;
- Division of Biomedical Science, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8577, Japan
| | - Rodrigue Bikangui
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL), Lambaréné BP. 242, Gabon; (R.B.); (G.N.O.); (S.T.A.); (B.L.)
| | - Georgelin Nguema Ondo
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL), Lambaréné BP. 242, Gabon; (R.B.); (G.N.O.); (S.T.A.); (B.L.)
| | - Christelle M. Pemba
- Department of Emerging Infectious Diseases, National Research Center for the Control and Prevention of Infectious Diseases (CCPID), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan; (H.A.); (C.M.P.); (V.R.Z.); (P.I.M.); (H.U.)
| | - Vahid R. Zadeh
- Department of Emerging Infectious Diseases, National Research Center for the Control and Prevention of Infectious Diseases (CCPID), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan; (H.A.); (C.M.P.); (V.R.Z.); (P.I.M.); (H.U.)
| | - Patrick I. Mpingabo
- Department of Emerging Infectious Diseases, National Research Center for the Control and Prevention of Infectious Diseases (CCPID), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan; (H.A.); (C.M.P.); (V.R.Z.); (P.I.M.); (H.U.)
| | - Hayato Ueda
- Department of Emerging Infectious Diseases, National Research Center for the Control and Prevention of Infectious Diseases (CCPID), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan; (H.A.); (C.M.P.); (V.R.Z.); (P.I.M.); (H.U.)
| | - Selidji T. Agnandji
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL), Lambaréné BP. 242, Gabon; (R.B.); (G.N.O.); (S.T.A.); (B.L.)
- Institute for Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Bertrand Lell
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL), Lambaréné BP. 242, Gabon; (R.B.); (G.N.O.); (S.T.A.); (B.L.)
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Jiro Yasuda
- Department of Emerging Infectious Diseases, National Research Center for the Control and Prevention of Infectious Diseases (CCPID), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan; (H.A.); (C.M.P.); (V.R.Z.); (P.I.M.); (H.U.)
- Department of Emerging Infectious Diseases, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan;
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
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Khedhiri M, Ghedira K, Rajhi M, Hammemi W, Sadraoui A, Touzi H, Tebibi K, Chouikha A, Triki H. Overview of the epidemic history of Hepatitis C uncommon subtypes 2i and 4d in Tunisia and in the world. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2022; 105:105375. [PMID: 36241024 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2022.105375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
The impressive improvements in qua therapy efficacy alone are not sufficient to substantially reduce the Hepatitis C Virus burden because of the usually very long asymptomatic phase of the infection. In turn, this renders prevention of infection of great importance. The value of learning how the virus has spread in the past is that this can provide clues as to what routes the virus likely spreads through today, which can feedback into prevention policy. In Tunisia, HCV subtypes 2i and 4d are minor circulating subtypes. Here, we applied a Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo method for visualization of spatial and temporal spread of HCV-2i and 4d in Tunisia and some other countries in the world. Our analysis included sequences retrieved from Genbank and isolated from several countries in the world; 21 HCV-NS5B subtype 2i genome sequences obtained during the period 2002-2020 and 206 HCV-NS5B-4d sequences detected between 2000 and 2019. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that two geographical clusters could be identified in HCV-2i tree with two clearly distinguished clusters in HCV-4d Tree. The estimated time for the most recent common ancestor suggested that current HCV-2i strains emerged in 1963 [1930, 1995] and current HCV-4d strains emerged in 1992 [1988, 1996] in Tunisia and other countries from the world investigated in the present study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marwa Khedhiri
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar (UTM), Tunis 1002, Tunisia; Research Laboratory "Virus, Vectors and Hosts: One Health Approach and Technological Innovation for a Better Health", LR20IPT02, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunisia; Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Campus Universitaire, El Manar, Tunis 2092, Tunisia; Clinical Investigation Center (CIC), Pasteur Institute of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar (UTM), Tunis 1002, Tunisia.
| | - Kais Ghedira
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Biomathematics and Biostatistics - LR16IPT09, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia.
| | - Mouna Rajhi
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar (UTM), Tunis 1002, Tunisia; Research Laboratory "Virus, Vectors and Hosts: One Health Approach and Technological Innovation for a Better Health", LR20IPT02, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Walid Hammemi
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar (UTM), Tunis 1002, Tunisia; Research Laboratory "Virus, Vectors and Hosts: One Health Approach and Technological Innovation for a Better Health", LR20IPT02, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunisia; Clinical Investigation Center (CIC), Pasteur Institute of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar (UTM), Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Amel Sadraoui
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar (UTM), Tunis 1002, Tunisia; Research Laboratory "Virus, Vectors and Hosts: One Health Approach and Technological Innovation for a Better Health", LR20IPT02, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunisia; Clinical Investigation Center (CIC), Pasteur Institute of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar (UTM), Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Henda Touzi
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar (UTM), Tunis 1002, Tunisia; Research Laboratory "Virus, Vectors and Hosts: One Health Approach and Technological Innovation for a Better Health", LR20IPT02, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunisia; Clinical Investigation Center (CIC), Pasteur Institute of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar (UTM), Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Khadija Tebibi
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar (UTM), Tunis 1002, Tunisia; Research Laboratory "Virus, Vectors and Hosts: One Health Approach and Technological Innovation for a Better Health", LR20IPT02, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunisia; Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Campus Universitaire, El Manar, Tunis 2092, Tunisia
| | - Anissa Chouikha
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar (UTM), Tunis 1002, Tunisia; Research Laboratory "Virus, Vectors and Hosts: One Health Approach and Technological Innovation for a Better Health", LR20IPT02, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunisia; Clinical Investigation Center (CIC), Pasteur Institute of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar (UTM), Tunis 1002, Tunisia.
| | - Henda Triki
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar (UTM), Tunis 1002, Tunisia; Research Laboratory "Virus, Vectors and Hosts: One Health Approach and Technological Innovation for a Better Health", LR20IPT02, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunisia; Clinical Investigation Center (CIC), Pasteur Institute of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar (UTM), Tunis 1002, Tunisia.
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Postigo-Hidalgo I, Magassouba N, Soropogui B, Fichet-Calvet E, Drexler JF. Association of Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 2 Spread With Historic Slave Trade and Commerce Routes in Western Africa. Virus Evol 2022; 8:veac066. [DOI: 10.1093/ve/veac066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
The hepatitis C virus genotype 2 (HCV2) is endemic in Western and Central Africa. The HCV2 evolutionary origins remain uncertain due to the paucity of available genomes from African settings. In this study, we investigated the molecular epidemiology of HCV infections in rural Guinea, Western Africa, during 2004 and 2014. Broadly reactive nested RT-PCR-based screening of sera from 1,571 asymptomatic adults resulted in the detection of 25 (1.5%, 95% CI 0.9-2.3) positive samples, with a median viral load of 2.54E+05 IU/mL (IQR 6.72E+05). HCV-infected persons had a median age of 47 years and 62.5% were male and 37.5% female. The full polyprotein-encoding genes were retrieved by a combination of high throughput and Sanger sequencing from 17 samples showing sufficiently high viral loads. Phylogenetic analysis and sequence distances ≥13% averaged over the polyprotein genes compared to other HCV2 subtypes revealed 9 previously unknown HCV2 subtypes. The time to the most recent common ancestor of the Guinean HCV2 strains inferred in a Bayesian framework was 493 years (95% HPD 453-532). Most of the Guinean strains clustered poorly by location both on the level of sampling sites within Guinea and the level of countries in the phylogenetic reconstructions. Ancestral state reconstruction provided decisive support (Bayes factor >100) for an origin of HCV2 in Western Africa. Phylogeographic reconstructions in a Bayesian framework pointed to a radial diffusion of HCV2 from Western African regions encompassing today’s countries like Ghana, Guinea Bissau, or Burkina Faso, to Central and Northern African regions that took place from the 16th century onwards. The spread of HCV2 coincided in time and space with the main historic slave trade and commerce routes, supported by Bayesian tip-association significance testing (p = 0.01). Our study confirms the evolutionary origins of HCV2 in Western Africa and provides a potential link between historic human movements and HCV2 dispersion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio Postigo-Hidalgo
- Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Virology , Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Barré Soropogui
- Laboratoire du Projet des Fièvres Hémorragiques de Guinée (PFHG) , Conakry, Guinea
| | | | - Jan Felix Drexler
- Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Virology , Berlin, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Associated partner site Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin , Germany
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9
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Mawuli G, Dzudzor B, Tachi K, Kuma AABA, Odame-Aboagye J, Obeng BM, Boateng AT, Edu-Quansah EP, Attiku KO, Agbosu E, Arjarquah A, Bonney JHK. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among patients with sickle cell disease at the Korle-Bu teaching hospital. Virol J 2022; 19:73. [PMID: 35459145 PMCID: PMC9026067 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-022-01797-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a blood borne infection that remains potentially transmissible through blood transfusions. Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a common inheritable haemoglobinopathy in Ghana that requires multiple blood transfusions as part of its management. The SCD patient is therefore at a high risk of HCV infection; however, data on the occurrence of HCV in SCD patients has not been documented in Ghana. This study sought to determine the prevalence and genotypes of HCV infection in SCD patients. Materials and methods This was a cross-sectional study which enrolled 141 sickle-cell disease patients from the Ghana Institute for Clinical Genetics, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH). Patient information was obtained through a structured questionnaire. Aliquots of the plasma obtained was used for both serology with Advanced Quality Rapid Anti-HCV Test Strip and molecular testing by RT-PCR with primers targeting the HCV core gene. The amplified DNA were purified and subjected to phylogenetic analysis to characterize HCV genotypes. Results Twelve (9%) out of the 141 patients were sero-positive for HCV total antibodies. HCV RNA was amplified from 8 (6%) out of the total number of patients’ samples. One of the 12 sero-positives was HCV RNA positive. Five (63%) out of the 8 HCV RNA positive samples were successfully sequenced. The phylogenetic tree constructed with the study and GenBank reference sequences, clustered all five study sequences into HCV genotype 1. Conclusion The HCV seroprevalence of 9% among sickle cell disease patients is higher than reported for the general Ghanaian population which is 3%. Genotype 1 is the common HCV genotype infecting SCD patients. Sickle cell disease is likely to be a high-risk group for HCV inapparent infections in Ghana as seroprevalence does not correlate with viremia. However, even with higher seroprevalence, the group must be given priority in resource allocation for preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gifty Mawuli
- Department of Virology, College of Health Sciences, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, P. O. Box, LG 581, Legon Accra, Ghana.,Department of Medical Biochemistry, University of Ghana Medical School, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Bartholomew Dzudzor
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, University of Ghana Medical School, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Kenneth Tachi
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Ghana Medical School, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | | | - James Odame-Aboagye
- Department of Virology, College of Health Sciences, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, P. O. Box, LG 581, Legon Accra, Ghana
| | | | - Anthony Twumasi Boateng
- Department of Virology, College of Health Sciences, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, P. O. Box, LG 581, Legon Accra, Ghana
| | | | - Keren Okyerebea Attiku
- Department of Virology, College of Health Sciences, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, P. O. Box, LG 581, Legon Accra, Ghana
| | - Esinam Agbosu
- Department of Virology, College of Health Sciences, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, P. O. Box, LG 581, Legon Accra, Ghana
| | - Augustina Arjarquah
- Department of Virology, College of Health Sciences, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, P. O. Box, LG 581, Legon Accra, Ghana
| | - Joseph Humphrey Kofi Bonney
- Department of Virology, College of Health Sciences, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, P. O. Box, LG 581, Legon Accra, Ghana.
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10
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Bitty-Anderson AM, Ferré V, Gbeasor-Komlanvi FA, Tchankoni MK, Sadio A, Salou M, Descamps D, Dagnra CA, Charpentier C, Ekouevi DK, Coffie PA. Prevalence of hepatitis B and C among female sex workers in Togo, West Africa. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0259891. [PMID: 34890388 PMCID: PMC8664183 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis B and C are endemic in sub-Saharan Africa, with prevalence among the highest in the World. However, several challenges impede the progression towards the elimination of viral hepatitis by 2030 as suggested by the World Health Organization Global health sector strategy on viral hepatitis, including the lack of knowledge on the scale of this epidemic in the region. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis B and C among female sex workers (FSW) in Togo. METHODS This ancillary study from a national cross-sectional bio-behavioral study was conducted in 2017 using a respondent-driven sampling (RDS) method, in eight towns of Togo among FSW. Socio-demographic, behavioral and sexual characteristics were assessed using a standardized questionnaire. Blood samples were collected for HIV, hepatitis B and C serological testing. Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis and a logistic regression model. RESULTS Out of the 1,036 FSW recruited for this study, biological analyses for viral hepatitis were completed for 769 of them. The median age was 26 years [IQR: 22-33] and 49.8% (n = 383) had attained secondary school. The prevalence of hepatitis B was 9.9% [95% CI: (7.9-12.2)] and the prevalence of hepatitis C was 5.3% [95% CI: (3.9-7.2)]. Higher hepatitis B and C prevalence was associated with recruitment out of Lomé (aOR: 6.63; 95%CI: 3.51-13.40, p <0.001 and OR: 2.82; 95% CI: [1.37-5.99]; p<0.001, respectively) and, for hepatitis B, with never using condoms for vaginal intercourse (OR: 3.14; 95%CI: [1.02-8.71]; p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Results from this study reveals high prevalence of hepatitis B and C among FSW in Togo and an opportunity for advocacy toward the introduction of immunizations and treatment in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra M. Bitty-Anderson
- Programme PACCI–Site ANRS Côte d’Ivoire, CHU de Treichville, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
- INSERM U1219, Bordeaux Population Health Research, ISPED, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Valentine Ferré
- Université de Paris, INSERM UMR 1137 IAME, Paris, France
- Laboratoire de Virologie, AP-HP, Hôpital Bichat-Claude Bernard, Paris, France
| | - Fifonsi A. Gbeasor-Komlanvi
- Département de Santé Publique, Faculté des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Lomé, Lomé, Togo
- Centre Africain de Recherches en Epidémiologie et en Santé Publique (CARESP), Lomé, Togo
| | - Martin Kouame Tchankoni
- Département de Santé Publique, Faculté des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Lomé, Lomé, Togo
- Centre Africain de Recherches en Epidémiologie et en Santé Publique (CARESP), Lomé, Togo
| | - Arnold Sadio
- Département de Santé Publique, Faculté des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Lomé, Lomé, Togo
- Centre Africain de Recherches en Epidémiologie et en Santé Publique (CARESP), Lomé, Togo
| | - Mounerou Salou
- Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire, Département des Sciences Fondamentales, Université de Lomé, Lomé, Togo
| | - Diane Descamps
- Université de Paris, INSERM UMR 1137 IAME, Paris, France
- Laboratoire de Virologie, AP-HP, Hôpital Bichat-Claude Bernard, Paris, France
| | - Claver A. Dagnra
- Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire, Département des Sciences Fondamentales, Université de Lomé, Lomé, Togo
- Programme National de Lutte contre le VIH/Sida, les Hépatites virales et les Infections Sexuellement Transmissibles (PNLS/HV/IST), Lomé, Togo
| | - Charlotte Charpentier
- Université de Paris, INSERM UMR 1137 IAME, Paris, France
- Laboratoire de Virologie, AP-HP, Hôpital Bichat-Claude Bernard, Paris, France
| | - Didier K. Ekouevi
- INSERM U1219, Bordeaux Population Health Research, ISPED, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- Département de Santé Publique, Faculté des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Lomé, Lomé, Togo
- Centre Africain de Recherches en Epidémiologie et en Santé Publique (CARESP), Lomé, Togo
- Institut de Santé Publique Epidémiologie Développement (ISPED), Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Patrick A. Coffie
- Programme PACCI–Site ANRS Côte d’Ivoire, CHU de Treichville, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
- Département de Dermatologie et d’Infectiologie, UFR des Sciences Médicales, Université Félix Houphouët Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
- CHU de Treichville, Service de Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
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11
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Worldwide prevalence, genotype distribution and management of hepatitis C. Acta Gastroenterol Belg 2021; 84:637-656. [PMID: 34965046 DOI: 10.51821/84.4.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the leading causes of chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma, resulting in major global public health concerns. The HCV infection is unevenly distributed worldwide, with variations in prevalence across and within countries. The studies on molecular epidemiology conducted in several countries provide an essential supplement for a comprehensive knowledge of HCV epidemiology, genotypes, and subtypes, along with providing information on the impact of current and earlier migratory flows. HCV is phylogenetically classified into 8 major genotypes and 57 subtypes. HCV genotype and subtype distribution differ according to geographic origin and transmission risk category. Unless people with HCV infection are detected and treated appropriately, the number of deaths due to the disease will continue to increase. In 2015, 1.75 million new viral infections were mostly due to unsafe healthcare procedures and drug use injections. In the same year, access to direct-acting antivirals was challenging and varied in developing and developed countries, affecting HCV cure rates based on their availability. The World Health Assembly, in 2016, approved a global strategy to achieve the elimination of the HCV public health threat by 2030 (by reducing new infections by 90% and deaths by 65%). Globally, countries are implementing policies and measures to eliminate HCV risk based on their distribution of genotypes and prevalence.
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12
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Almosa FAM, Alnasser AHA, Al-Tawfiq JA. Distribution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes in a Saudi Arabian hospital during the 2015-2020 period. LE INFEZIONI IN MEDICINA 2021; 29:450-455. [PMID: 35146350 PMCID: PMC8805486 DOI: 10.53854/liim-2903-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the leading cause of chronic liver disease. HCV genotypes and subtypes are important predictors of disease progression and antiviral treatment response. To our knowledge, there had been limited studies of HCV genotypes in Qatif, Saudi Arabia. This study aims to assess the distribution of HCV genotypes in Qatif Central Hospital, Qatif, Saudi Arabia. This is a retrospective study of adult patients with HCV infection between January 2015 and December 2020. Only patients with documented HCV genotyping were included. A total of 356 HCVinfected patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included in further analysis. Of those patients, 179 (50.3%) were males, and most were Saudi (N=347, 97.5%). The median age was 60 years, and 191 (53.7%) were 50-69 years of age. Genotype 2 was present in 118 (33.1%) of the patients, followed by genotype 4 in 92 (25.8%), genotype 1B in 62 (17.4%), and genotype 1A in 37 (10.4%). The study showed that HCV genotype 2 is the predominant variant among chronic HCV patients in the study population. Monitoring the epidemiology of HCV genotypes may provide guidance in treatment decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fadel Ali M. Almosa
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Qatif Central Hospital, Ministry of Health, Qatif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ali Hassan A. Alnasser
- Department of Laboratory, Dhahran Eye Specialist Hospital, Ministry of Health, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jaffar A. Al-Tawfiq
- Infectious Disease Unit, Specialty Internal Medicine, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
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13
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Rajhi M, Haddad-Boubaker S, Chouikha A, Bourquain D, Michel J, Hammami W, Sadraoui A, Touzi H, Ghedira K, Triki H. Identification of two novel hepatitis C virus subtype 2 from Tunisia (2v and 2w). PLoS One 2021; 16:e0248249. [PMID: 33705445 PMCID: PMC7951806 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0248249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has a high genetic diversity. Eight genotypes and 90 subtypes are currently described. Genotypes are clinically significant for therapeutic management and their determination is necessary for epidemiological studies. Methods Tunisian patients plasma samples (n = 6) with unassigned HCV-2 subtype using partial sequencing in the NS5B and Core/E1 regions were analyzed by realizing whole-genome sequencing analysis. Phylogenetic analyses were performed to assign subtypes. Results Phylogenetic analysis of the full genome sequences of Tunisian strains shows two subtypes within HCV-2. These later were genetically distinct from all previously established HCV-2 subtypes with nucleotide divergence greater than 15% (20% -31%). These two subtypes are proposed as new subtypes 2v and 2w. Conclusions The discovery of two new HCV-2 subtypes circulating in the Tunisian population confirms the great diversity of HCV-2 viruses and increases the total number of HCV-2 subtypes from 21 to 23.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mouna Rajhi
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles, for EMR, Pasteur Institute, Tunis, Tunisia
- University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
- Research Laboratory of Virus, Vector and Host (LR20IPT10), Pasteur Institute, Tunis, Tunisia
- * E-mail:
| | - Sondes Haddad-Boubaker
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles, for EMR, Pasteur Institute, Tunis, Tunisia
- University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
- Research Laboratory of Virus, Vector and Host (LR20IPT10), Pasteur Institute, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Anissa Chouikha
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles, for EMR, Pasteur Institute, Tunis, Tunisia
- University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
- Research Laboratory of Virus, Vector and Host (LR20IPT10), Pasteur Institute, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Daniel Bourquain
- Robert Koch Institute, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens–Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Berlin, Germany
| | - Janine Michel
- Robert Koch Institute, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens–Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Berlin, Germany
| | - Walid Hammami
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles, for EMR, Pasteur Institute, Tunis, Tunisia
- University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
- Research Laboratory of Virus, Vector and Host (LR20IPT10), Pasteur Institute, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Amel Sadraoui
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles, for EMR, Pasteur Institute, Tunis, Tunisia
- University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
- Research Laboratory of Virus, Vector and Host (LR20IPT10), Pasteur Institute, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Hinda Touzi
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles, for EMR, Pasteur Institute, Tunis, Tunisia
- University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
- Research Laboratory of Virus, Vector and Host (LR20IPT10), Pasteur Institute, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Kais Ghedira
- University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Biomathematics and Biostatistics (LR16IPT09), Pasteur Institute, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Henda Triki
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles, for EMR, Pasteur Institute, Tunis, Tunisia
- University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
- Research Laboratory of Virus, Vector and Host (LR20IPT10), Pasteur Institute, Tunis, Tunisia
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Owusu DO, Phillips R, Owusu M, Sarfo FS, Frempong M. Increased levels of circulating IL-10 in persons recovered from hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection compared with persons with active HCV infection. BMC Res Notes 2020; 13:472. [PMID: 33028385 PMCID: PMC7542684 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-020-05313-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Approximately 70% of all hepatitis C (HCV) infections develop chronic disease. Active or exacerbated chronic hepatitis C infection subsequently progress to liver disease. The role of T-cells secretions in achieving viral clearance is still not well understood. Thus, the current study was set to determine the relationship between the T cell cytokine profiles, biochemical parameters and persistent HCV infection or spontaneous recovery. RESULTS Twenty-five percent (41/163) of the anti-HCV positive participants had recovered from HCV and had significantly higher concentration of IL-10 compared to those with active HCV infection (P < 0.012). Other circulating cytokines measured; IL-2, IFN gamma, TNF alpha, IL-5 and IL-17 were similar in both groups. Participants with active HCV infection had significantly higher aspartate transaminase (AST) (35 units) and alanine transaminase (46 units) compared to those in the recovered state (P < 0.001). Thus, serum levels of IL10 could be explored in larger prospective cohort study as a predictive marker of recovering from an active HCV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorcas Ohui Owusu
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Garden City University College (GCUC), P.O. Box 12775, Kumasi, Ghana.
| | - Richard Phillips
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine (KCCR), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), PMB, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Michael Owusu
- Department of Medical Diagnostics, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), University Post Office, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Fred Stephen Sarfo
- Department of Medicine, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, University Post Office, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Margaret Frempong
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
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15
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Owusu DO, Owusu M, Owusu BA. Human defensins and Th-1 cytokines in hepatitis C viral infection. Pan Afr Med J 2020; 37:103. [PMID: 33425136 PMCID: PMC7757282 DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2020.37.103.25211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION active or chronic exacerbated forms of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection subsequently progress to liver disease and human defensins has been determined to have some level of anti-viral properties invitro whilst the expression of T helper-1 cytokines is known to promote complete recovery from acute HCV infection. The study sought to determine relationship between these immune responses. METHODS a cross sectional descriptive study design was employed. Hundred and thirty-two individuals were assessed were assessed for to anti-HCV, HCV RNA, serum levels of human alpha defensins 1 (HAD-1) and human beta defensins 1 (HBD-1). T helper 1 cytokines (IL-2, IFN gamma, TNF alpha) secreted in serum were also analyzed using commercial ELISA assay. The study was conducted in Kumasi, Obuasi and Daboya in Ghana. RESULTS the serum mean concentrations of HAD-1, HBD-1, IL-2, IFN gamma and TNF alpha showed no significant difference in concentrations among participants with chronic, spontaneously recovered or negative to HCV infection (p>0.05). Persons with hepatitis B co-infection were more likely to develop chronic HCV infection (p=0.039). HAD-1 and HBD-1 showed significant positive association with IL-2 (p=0.000) whilst only HAD-1 positively correlated with IL-2 (p<0.000). CONCLUSION the immunological markers determined had no association with the status of HCV infection. HAD-1 increased with increasing levels of IL-2. These findings suggest that during HCV infection, inflammatory response through the production of cytokines by IL-2 cells may affect the release of HAD-1 and HBD-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorcas Ohui Owusu
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Garden City University College (GCUC), Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Michael Owusu
- Department of Medical Diagnostics, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), University Post Office, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Bright Afriyie Owusu
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Garden City University College (GCUC), Kumasi, Ghana
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Mohammed BS, Aidoo M. Drug Treatment of Patients with Liver Cirrhosis in a Tertiary Hospital in Northern Ghana: Does It Comply with Recommended Guidelines? Int J Hepatol 2020; 2020:9750194. [PMID: 32550025 PMCID: PMC7275961 DOI: 10.1155/2020/9750194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Revised: 03/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The diverse influence of liver function on drug disposition can lead health-care practitioners to inappropriate drug selection, inappropriate drug dosing, or some level of therapeutic negativism. The aim of this study was to assess how drug prescribing in patients with liver cirrhosis at the Tamale Teaching Hospital comply with recommendations of pharmacotherapy and safety guidelines. A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from February to July, 2019, at the medical ward of the Tamale Teaching Hospital. A total of 152 liver cirrhotic patients were included in this study. Common etiologies for liver cirrhosis were chronic hepatitis B 80 (52.6%) and chronic hepatitis C 30 (19.7%); about 12.5% of etiologies were unknown. Of the 1842 prescription issued, 69% (1270/1842) were compliant. Of the 572 noncompliant prescriptions, about 32% (183/572) were due to pharmacotherapy and 68% (389/572) due to safety guideline recommendations. There was a substantial number (31%) of prescription noncompliance with recommendations for pharmacotherapy and safety guidelines in liver cirrhotic patients at the tertiary hospital in northern Ghana. Prescribers need to be conscious of the role of the liver in drug elimination and prescribe as recommended by guidelines.
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Cell Culture Studies of the Efficacy and Barrier to Resistance of Sofosbuvir-Velpatasvir and Glecaprevir-Pibrentasvir against Hepatitis C Virus Genotypes 2a, 2b, and 2c. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2020; 64:AAC.01888-19. [PMID: 31818814 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01888-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The introduction of highly efficient therapies with direct-acting antivirals (DAA) for patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection offers exceptional opportunities to globally control this deadly disease. For achieving this ambitious goal, it is essential to prevent antiviral resistance against the most optimal first-line and retreatment DAA choices. We performed independent comparisons of the efficacy and barrier to resistance of pangenotypic DAA regimens for HCV genotype 2 infections, using previously and newly developed efficient cell culture-adapted strains of subtypes 2a, 2b, and 2c. With the applied experimental cell culture conditions, combination treatment with the sofosbuvir-velpatasvir or glecaprevir-pibrentasvir DAA regimen was efficient in eradicating HCV infections; in contrast, single-drug treatments frequently led to viral escape. Sequence analysis of drug targets from recovered viruses revealed known resistance-associated substitutions (RAS) emerging in the NS3 protease or NS5A after treatment failure. These RAS were genetically stable after viral passage, and viruses with these RAS exhibited significant phenotypic resistance. After sofosbuvir treatment failure, only a genotype 2a virus harbored NS5B RAS S282T and thus had decreased susceptibility to nucleotide analogs (nucs). However, in most cases, viral escape from sofosbuvir led to other NS5B substitutions but drug susceptibility was maintained, and in one case, no changes in NS5B were detected. For a genotype 2b virus, after treatment failure with sofosbuvir-velpatasvir, the efficacy of retreatment with glecaprevir-pibrentasvir was maintained due to the high barrier to resistance and low cross-resistance of pibrentasvir. Our findings suggest the slight superiority of glecaprevir-pibrentasvir against genotype 2b in culture, which could have potential therapeutic interest meriting more definitive investigations in the clinic.
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HCV genotype profile in Brazil of mono-infected and HIV co-infected individuals: A survey representative of an entire country. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0227082. [PMID: 31905224 PMCID: PMC6944355 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0227082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION To be eligible for government-provided treatment in Brazil, all HCV-infected individuals are required to be genotyped shortly after diagnosis. We describe the HCV genotype (G) profiles by geographic region, gender, age and HIV co-infection. METHODS We assessed 29,071 genotypes collected from HCV-infected individuals from March 2016 to March 2018 (Abbott Real-Time HCV Genotype). We randomly selected 12,336 samples for HIV co-infection testing using an EIA rapid test kit (TR DPP HIV 1/2 Bio-Manguinhos). Descriptive statistical analyses were performed using R. RESULTS Overall, HCV genotype distribution was 40.9% G1A, 30.2% G1B, 23.8% G3, 3.8% G2, 0.7% G4, 0.1% G5 and 0.6% with multiples genotypes. G1A prevalence was 44.4% among males and 35.8% among females. G1B and G2 were more prevalent in older individuals than G1A and G3. G3 was more prevalent in the South region. Of samples tested for HIV co-infection, 15% were HIV+. Median age among HCV/HIV co-infected individuals was 50 years old compared to 57 years old among mono-infected individuals. Distinct HCV genotype prevalence between HCV/HIV co-infected and HCV mono-infected individuals were respectively: G1A 60.6% versus 37.8%, G1B 15.2% versus 32.9%, and G3 18.9% versus 24.7%. G4 was detected among co-infected young men (3.5% versus 0.2% among mono-infected). CONCLUSION The increasing prevalence of G3, as inferred by the younger ages of the HCV-infected individuals, poses an extra challenge with regards to disease progression. Distinct genotypical profiles between HCV mono-infection and HCV/HIV co-infection warrant future research in order to better understand and help mitigate HCV chains of transmission.
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Candotti D, Sauvage V, Cappy P, Boullahi MA, Bizimana P, Mbensa GO, Oumar Coulibaly S, Rakoto Alson AO, Soumana H, Tagny-Tayou C, Murphy EL, Laperche S. High rate of hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus false-positive results in serologic screening in sub-Saharan Africa: adverse impact on the blood supply. Transfusion 2019; 60:106-116. [PMID: 31777096 DOI: 10.1111/trf.15593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Revised: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND False positivity in blood screening may cause unnecessary deferral of healthy donors and exacerbate blood shortages. An international multicenter study was conducted to estimate the frequency of HCV and HIV false seropositivity in seven African countries (Burundi, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger). STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS Blood donations were tested for hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) with rapid detection tests (RDTs), third-generation enzyme immunoassays (EIAs), or fourth-generation EIAs. HCV (456/16,613 [2.74%]) and HIV (249/16,675 [1.49%]) reactive samples were then confirmed with antigen/antibody assays, immunoblots, and nucleic acid testing. Partial viral sequences were analyzed when possible. RESULTS The HCV reactivity rate with RDTs was significantly lower than with EIAs (0.55% vs. 3.52%; p < 0.0001). The HIV reactivity rate with RDTs was lower than with third-generation EIAs (1.02% vs. 2.38%; p < 0.0001) but similar to a fourth-generation assay (1.09%). Only 16.0% (57/357) and 21.5% (38/177) of HCV and HIV initial reactive samples, respectively, were repeatedly reactive. HCV and HIV infections were confirmed in 13.2% and 13.7%, respectively, of repeated reactive donations. The predominant HCV genotype 2 and 4 strains in West and Central Africa showed high genetic variability. HIV-1 subtype CRF02_AG was most prevalent. CONCLUSION High rates (>80%) of unconfirmed anti-HCV and anti-HIV reactivity observed in several sub-Saharan countries highlights the need for better testing and confirmatory strategies for donors screening in Africa. Without confirmatory testing, HCV and HIV prevalence in African blood donors has probably been overestimated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Candotti
- National Institute of Blood Transfusion/INTS, National Reference Center for Infectious Risk in Transfusion, Department of Blood-borne Agents, Paris, France
| | - Virginie Sauvage
- National Institute of Blood Transfusion/INTS, National Reference Center for Infectious Risk in Transfusion, Department of Blood-borne Agents, Paris, France
| | - Pierre Cappy
- National Institute of Blood Transfusion/INTS, National Reference Center for Infectious Risk in Transfusion, Department of Blood-borne Agents, Paris, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Claude Tagny-Tayou
- Department of Hematology, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences of University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Edward L Murphy
- Departments of Laboratory Medicine and Epidemiology/Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California.,Vitalant Research Institute, San Francisco, California
| | - Syria Laperche
- National Institute of Blood Transfusion/INTS, National Reference Center for Infectious Risk in Transfusion, Department of Blood-borne Agents, Paris, France
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Ciccozzi M, Lai A, Zehender G, Borsetti A, Cella E, Ciotti M, Sagnelli E, Sagnelli C, Angeletti S. The phylogenetic approach for viral infectious disease evolution and epidemiology: An updating review. J Med Virol 2019; 91:1707-1724. [PMID: 31243773 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.25526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
In the last decade, the phylogenetic approach is recurrent in molecular evolutionary analysis. On 12 May, 2019, about 2 296 213 papers are found, but typing "phylogeny" or "epidemiology AND phylogeny" only 199 804 and 20 133 are retrieved, respectively. Molecular epidemiology in infectious diseases is widely used to define the source of infection as so as the ancestral relationships of individuals sampled from a population. Coalescent theory and phylogeographic analysis have had scientific application in several, recent pandemic events, and nosocomial outbreaks. Hepatitis viruses and immunodeficiency virus (human immunodeficiency virus) have been largely studied. Phylogenetic analysis has been recently applied on Polyomaviruses so as in the more recent outbreaks due to different arboviruses type as Zika and chikungunya viruses discovering the source of infection and the geographic spread. Data on sequences isolated by the microorganism are essential to apply the phylogenetic tools and research in the field of infectious disease phylodinamics is growing up. There is the need to apply molecular phylogenetic and evolutionary methods in areas out of infectious diseases, as translational genomics and personalized medicine. Lastly, the application of these tools in vaccine strategy so as in antibiotic and antiviral researchers are encouraged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Ciccozzi
- Unit of Medical Statistics and Molecular Epidemiology, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessia Lai
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences 'L. Sacco', University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Gianguglielmo Zehender
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences 'L. Sacco', University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandra Borsetti
- National HIV/AIDS Research Center, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma, Italy
| | - Eleonora Cella
- Unit of Medical Statistics and Molecular Epidemiology, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Ciotti
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Polyclinic Tor Vergata Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Evangelista Sagnelli
- Department of Mental Health and Public Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Caterina Sagnelli
- Department of Mental Health and Public Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Silvia Angeletti
- Unit of Clinical Laboratory Science, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Rome, Italy
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21
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Nii-Trebi NI, Brown CA, Osei YD, Ampofo WK, Nyarko AK. Core encoding sequences of Hepatitis C virus in Ghanaian blood donors are predominantly mosaics of different genotype 2 strains and cannot distinguish subtypes. BMC Infect Dis 2019; 19:533. [PMID: 31208352 PMCID: PMC6580569 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-019-4155-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Distribution of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes varies significantly worldwide. Genomic diversity between genotypes has implications for treatment, vaccine development and optimal design of HCV diagnostic assays. Molecular characterization of HCV in different geographical areas is therefore very essential for management and public health control of HCV infection. This study investigated the molecular epidemiology and characteristics of HCV genotypes in healthy individuals in Accra, Ghana. Methods An experimental study was carried out on blood samples obtained from voluntary blood donors. Two hundred samples were initially screened for HCV antibodies and infection was confirmed by RNA detection through RT-PCR of the 5′-untranslated region (5’UTR). The core gene sequences were analysed for HCV genotype determination by genotype-specific PCR; and then by cloning and direct sequencing followed by phylogenetic analysis. The sequences were further analysed in detail by similarity plotting. Results Molecular diagnosis confirmed the presence of HCV RNA in 2 out of 200 (1%) blood donors. Initial genotyping by genotype-specific PCR identified all two infections as subtypes 2a and 2b of genotype 2. Extensive evolutionary and genetic analyses indicated two epidemiological profiles. First, phylogenetic tree topologies clearly showed that, collectively, the core sequences of the Ghanaian HCV isolates belong to a single, distinct genetic group within HCV genotype 2 cluster, with high genetic similarity and rapid sequence variation in a single individual. Second, the sequences are mosaics comprising 2e and other genotype 2 subtype fragments. The analyses underscore a unique and complex HCV genotype 2 core sequence profile of the Ghanaian isolates. Conclusions Analysis of HCV core encoding sequences from Ghanaian blood donors in Accra confirmed predominance of genotype 2 HCV among healthy individuals. However, the isolates could not be classified into subtypes, possibly due to their complex sequence pattern that might suggest high mutability of the prevailing genotype. The core region of Ghanaian HCV therefore may not be suitable for distinguishing subtypes. These findings extend those from previous studies and thus underscore the need to search for subtype-informative region of Ghanaian HCV to elucidate the genetic diversity and factors determining outcome of HCV infections in Ghana.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Israel Nii-Trebi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
| | - Charles Addoquaye Brown
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Yaa Difie Osei
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, School of Biological Sciences, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - William Kwabena Ampofo
- Department of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Alexander Kwadwo Nyarko
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
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22
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Xu R, Yu Y, Leitch ECM, Wang M, Huang K, Huang J, Tang X, Liao Q, Song D, Shan Z, Li C, Mclauchlan J, Rong X. HCV genotype 6 prevalence, spontaneous clearance and diversity among elderly members of the Li ethnic minority in Baisha County, China. J Viral Hepat 2019; 26:529-540. [PMID: 30629794 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2018] [Revised: 11/16/2018] [Accepted: 11/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The epidemiology of hepatitis C virus varies widely across geographical regions and ethnic groups. Our previous study showed that 6 strains isolated from Baisha County, Hainan Island, China, were all new genotype 6 (gt6) subtypes which differed significantly from subtypes of other regions. In the current study, we conducted a comprehensive epidemiological survey of HCV in the Li ethnic group, native to Baisha County. Anti-HCV antibodies were detected by 2 independent ELISAs in all participants, and positive results confirmed by the recombinant immunoblot assay (RIBA) and HCV RNA viral loads were measured. Univariate chi-square test and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to determine the risk factors for HCV infection and spontaneous clearance rates. Indeterminate RIBA results were excluded or included in analyses; consequently, findings were expressed as a range. Direct sequencing of partial regions within NS5B and E1 was employed for genotyping. Among 1682 participants, 117 to 153 were anti-HCV positive (7.0%-9.1%), with 42.7%-52.6% confirmed to have cleared infection. Anti-HCV positivity was associated with older age (≥60 years) (OR = 0.02, 95% CI 0.01-0.05, P < 0.01) and surgery (OR = 2.75, 95% CI 1.36-5.57, P < 0.01), with no significant difference found between the HCV infection group and the HCV spontaneous clearance group. The gt6 subtype distribution characteristics of Baisha County were unique, complex and diverse. The sequences did not cluster with known gt6 subtypes but formed 4 Baisha community-specific groups. HCV infection in members of the Li minority ethnic group is characterized by high prevalence rates in the elderly, high spontaneous clearance rates and broad gt6 diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ru Xu
- Institute of Clinical Blood Transfusion, Guangzhou Blood Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yongjuan Yu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, People's Hospital of Baisha Li Autonomous County, Hainan, China
| | | | - Min Wang
- Institute of Clinical Blood Transfusion, Guangzhou Blood Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ke Huang
- Institute of Clinical Blood Transfusion, Guangzhou Blood Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jieting Huang
- Institute of Clinical Blood Transfusion, Guangzhou Blood Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xi Tang
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Qiao Liao
- Institute of Clinical Blood Transfusion, Guangzhou Blood Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Dandan Song
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhengang Shan
- Institute of Clinical Blood Transfusion, Guangzhou Blood Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Chengyao Li
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - John Mclauchlan
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, UK
| | - Xia Rong
- Institute of Clinical Blood Transfusion, Guangzhou Blood Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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23
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Assih M, Ouattara AK, Diarra B, Yonli AT, Compaore TR, Obiri-Yeboah D, Djigma FW, Karou S, Simpore J. Genetic diversity of hepatitis viruses in West-African countries from 1996 to 2018. World J Hepatol 2018; 10:807-821. [PMID: 30533182 PMCID: PMC6280160 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v10.i11.807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Revised: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The severity of hepatic pathology and the response to treatment depend on the hepatitis virus genotype in the infected host. The objective of this review was to determine the distribution of hepatitis virus genotypes in West African countries. A systematic review of the literature in PubMed, Google Scholar and Science Direct was performed to identify 52 relevant articles reporting hepatitis A, B, C, D, E and G viruses genotypes. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype E with a prevalence of 90.6% (95%CI: 0.891-0.920) found in this review, is characterized by low genetic diversity. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes 1 and 2 represented 96.4% of HCV infections in West African countries, while hepatitis delta virus, hepatitis A virus, hepatitis G virus genotypes 1 and HEV genotype 3 were reported in some studies in Ghana and Nigeria. HBV genotype E is characterized by high prevalence, low genetic diversity and wide geographical distribution. Further studies on the clinical implications of HBV genotype E and HCV genotypes 1 and 2 are needed for the development of an effective treatment against this viral hepatitis in West African countries. Surveillance of the distribution of different genotypes is also needed to reduce recombination rates and prevent the emergence of more virulent viral strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maléki Assih
- Biochemistry-Microbiology, CERBA/LABIOGENE, Ouagadougou 02006, Burkina Faso
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Molecular Genetics (LABIOGENE) UFR/SVT, University Ouaga I Prof Joseph KI-ZERBO, Ouagadougou 00226, Burkina Faso
| | - Abdoul Karim Ouattara
- Biochemistry-Microbiology, CERBA/LABIOGENE, Ouagadougou 02006, Burkina Faso
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Molecular Genetics (LABIOGENE) UFR/SVT, University Ouaga I Prof Joseph KI-ZERBO, Ouagadougou 00226, Burkina Faso
| | - Birama Diarra
- Biochemistry-Microbiology, CERBA/LABIOGENE, Ouagadougou 02006, Burkina Faso
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Molecular Genetics (LABIOGENE) UFR/SVT, University Ouaga I Prof Joseph KI-ZERBO, Ouagadougou 00226, Burkina Faso
| | - Albert Theophane Yonli
- Biochemistry-Microbiology, CERBA/LABIOGENE, Ouagadougou 02006, Burkina Faso
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Molecular Genetics (LABIOGENE) UFR/SVT, University Ouaga I Prof Joseph KI-ZERBO, Ouagadougou 00226, Burkina Faso
| | - Tegwindé Rebeca Compaore
- Biochemistry-Microbiology, CERBA/LABIOGENE, Ouagadougou 02006, Burkina Faso
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Molecular Genetics (LABIOGENE) UFR/SVT, University Ouaga I Prof Joseph KI-ZERBO, Ouagadougou 00226, Burkina Faso
| | - Dorcas Obiri-Yeboah
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast 00233, Ghana
| | - Florencia Wendkuuni Djigma
- Biochemistry-Microbiology, CERBA/LABIOGENE, Ouagadougou 02006, Burkina Faso
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Molecular Genetics (LABIOGENE) UFR/SVT, University Ouaga I Prof Joseph KI-ZERBO, Ouagadougou 00226, Burkina Faso
| | - Simplice Karou
- Ecole Supérieure des Techniques Biologiques et Alimentaires (ESTBA-UL), Universite de Lome, Lome 00229, Togo
| | - Jacques Simpore
- Biochemistry-Microbiology, CERBA/LABIOGENE, Ouagadougou 02006, Burkina Faso
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Molecular Genetics (LABIOGENE) UFR/SVT, University Ouaga I Prof Joseph KI-ZERBO, Ouagadougou 00226, Burkina Faso
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Wahid B, Waqar M, Rasool N, Rehman Z, Saeed J, Wasim M, Khan MA, Ali A, Rafique S, Sajjad, Idrees M. Recent trends in molecular epidemiology of Hepatitis C virus in Mardan, KPK Pakistan. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2018; 66:66-71. [PMID: 30201500 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2018.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2018] [Revised: 09/05/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
To determine the genotypic distribution of HCV, frequency of risk factors involved in its transmission, and correlation of genotype with viral load in Mardan population which is the second largest city of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan. Blood samples of 1140 were collected from different regions of Mardan and major proportion of recruited patients were internally displaced people (IDPs), refugees, and slum dwellers. Complete patient's history was analyzed to assess the possible risks involved in HCV transmission. Viral genotype was determined by PCR (polymerase chain reaction) whereas, HCV RNA was measured by qRT-PCR. Data was analyzed using SPSS statistical software. Our results indicate 3a as the most abundant subtype in Mardan population followed by 3b, 2a, 2b, 4a, untypeable, mixed, 1a, and 1b. In contrast to previous findings, genotype 1 was the least prevalent genotype and the overall prevalence of HCV in Mardan population was significantly higher in females (n = 687, 60.2%) than males (n = 453, 39.7%). Significant difference between-genotypes and gender was observed in genotype 1 (p < .034) and genotype 3 (p < .004). The mean age was 44 (SD ± 9.51). The most frequently found mixed genotype was 3a + 1b and mixed genotype was more prevalent in males. The proportion of middle-aged people (41-49 years) was higher whereas, older and younger people were least infected with HCV. This is the first study that showed substantial correlation of genotype 3 with low and intermediate viral load in Mardan population. Moreover, high and extremely high viral load was associated with other genotypes. Our findings showed that most of the patients who experienced high and extremely high viremia in their blood were males and belonged to Takhat Bhai and Mardaan regions. There were significant difference in the prevalence of HCV genotype 3a (p = .001) and genotype 3b (p = .005) in different regions of Mardan. Pre-treatment viral load is significantly high (p 0.001) in tehsil Mardan patients infected with HCV genotype 3 as compared to other genotypes. Unsafe medical practices such as medical and dental surgeries, intravenous drug use, and blood transfusions were the main risk factors for HCV transmission in Mardan, KPK Pakistan. This study gives clear insights into the epidemiological status of HCV in Mardan population. Genotype 3 is correlated with low and intermediate viral load whereas high viral loads were revealed among patients infected with genotypes other than genotype 3. In the absence of better data and robust epidemiological information, this detailed analysis of HCV genotypes with special reference to risk factors, pretreatment viral load, gender, and age will provide the baseline data for development of optimal HCV eradication and preventive strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Braira Wahid
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Science, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan.
| | - Muhammad Waqar
- Genome Centre for Molecular Based Diagnostics and Research, Cl-25 Block B Al-Sudais Plaza, Abdalian Cooperative Society, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Nouman Rasool
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Science, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Zobaria Rehman
- Genome Centre for Molecular Based Diagnostics and Research, Cl-25 Block B Al-Sudais Plaza, Abdalian Cooperative Society, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Jamaluddin Saeed
- Department of Medicine, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, KPK, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Wasim
- Department of Medicine, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, KPK, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Arif Khan
- Departments of Medicine, District Head Quarter Hospital, Mardan, Khyber Paktunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Amjad Ali
- Centre for Applied Molecular Biology (CAMB), 87-West Canal Bank Road, Thokar Niaz Baig, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Shazia Rafique
- Division of Molecular Virology and Diagnostics, Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB), 87-West Canal Bank Road, Thokar Niaz Baig, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Sajjad
- Genome Centre for Molecular Based Diagnostics and Research, Cl-25 Block B Al-Sudais Plaza, Abdalian Cooperative Society, Lahore, Pakistan
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Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) RNA screening and sequencing using dry plasma spots. J Clin Virol 2017; 97:18-21. [PMID: 29080433 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2017.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2017] [Revised: 10/01/2017] [Accepted: 10/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND HCV RNA screening of large sample repositories provides data on HCV epidemic patterns that may help guide control policies. In resource-limited settings, shipment of frozen samples to molecular laboratory facilities and testing of individual samples may be prohibitively expensive. OBJECTIVE Our aim was to detect and sequence HCV RNA in a large HIV-positive cohort from Kumasi, Ghana, using pooled and individual dried plasma spots (DPS) produced from samples stored at -80°C. STUDY DESIGN In the validation phase, replicate DPS were prepared with six dilutions (500-10,000 IU/ml) of the 4th International Standard for HCV and tested in three independent experiments. In the testing phase, DPS prepared with plasma samples from 875 HIV-positive subjects were pooled for screening, followed by testing of individual DPS of positive pools. Input from individual DPS was two 6mm punches; pools comprised two punches from each of five DPS. Genotypes were determined by Sanger sequencing of HCV core and NS5B. RESULTS With the dilution series, sensitivity of HCV RNA detection was ≥2500 IU/ml. Replicate DPS gave intra-assay and inter-assay coefficients of variation ≤1.4%. With the stored samples, HCV RNA was detected in 5/175 DPS pools and in one DPS from each positive pool, yielding a HCV RNA prevalence of 5/875 (0.57%; 95% confidence interval 0.07-1.07%). The five samples were sequenced as HCV genotypes 2l and 2r. DISCUSSION DPS allowed reproducible HCV RNA detection, and pooling effectively contained the cost and labour of screening a previously untested, low-prevalence cohort. DPS were also suitable for HCV sequencing.
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Maaroufi A, Vince A, Himatt SM, Mohamed R, Fung J, Opare-Sem O, Workneh A, Njouom R, Al Ghazzawi I, Abdulla M, Kaliaskarova KS, Owusu-Ofori S, Abdelmageed MK, Adda D, Akin O, Al Baqali A, Al Dweik N, Al Ejji K, Al Kaabi S, Al Naamani K, Al Qamish J, Al Sadadi M, Al Salman J, AlBadri M, Al-Busafi SA, Al-Romaihi HE, Ampofo W, Antonov K, Anyaike C, Arome F, Bane A, Blach S, Borodo MM, Brandon SM, Bright B, Butt MT, Cardenas I, Chan HLY, Chen CJ, Chen DS, Chen PJ, Chien RN, Chuang WL, Cuellar D, Derbala M, Elbardiny AA, Estes C, Farag E, Gamkrelidze I, Garcia V, Genov J, Ghandour Z, Ghuloom M, Gomez B, Gunter J, Habeeb J, Hajelssedig O, Hamoudi W, Hrstic I, Hu CC, Huang CF, Hui YT, Jahis R, Jelev D, John AK, Kamel Y, Kao JH, Khamis J, Khattabi H, Khoudri I, Konysbekova A, Kotzev I, Lai MS, Lao WC, Layden J, Lee MH, Lesi O, Li M, Lo A, Loo CK, Lukšić B, Malu AO, Mateva L, Mitova R, Morović M, Murphy K, Mustapha B, Nde H, Nersesov A, Ngige E, Njoya O, Nonković D, Obekpa S, Oguche S, Okolo EE, Omede O, Omuemu C, Ondoa P, Phillips RO, Prokopenko YN, Razavi H, Razavi-Shearer D, Redae B, Reic T, Rinke de Wit T, Rios C, Robbins S, Roberts LR, Sanad SJ, Schmelzer JD, Sharma M, Simonova M, Su TH, Sultan K, Tan SS, Tchernev K, Tsang OTY, Tsang S, Tzeuton C, Ugoeze S, Uzochukwu B, Vi R, Wani HU, Wong VWS, Yacoub R, Yesmembetov KI, Youbi M, Yuen MF, Razavi-Shearer K. Historical epidemiology of hepatitis C virus in select countries-volume 4. J Viral Hepat 2017; 24 Suppl 2:8-24. [PMID: 29105285 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.12762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2017] [Accepted: 07/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Due to the introduction of newer, more efficacious treatment options, there is a pressing need for policy makers and public health officials to develop or adapt national hepatitis C virus (HCV) control strategies to the changing epidemiological landscape. To do so, detailed, country-specific data are needed to characterize the burden of chronic HCV infection. In this study of 17 countries, a literature review of published and unpublished data on HCV prevalence, viraemia, genotype, age and gender distribution, liver transplants and diagnosis and treatment rates was conducted, and inputs were validated by expert consensus in each country. Viraemic prevalence in this study ranged from 0.2% in Hong Kong to 2.4% in Taiwan, while the largest viraemic populations were in Nigeria (2 597 000 cases) and Taiwan (569 000 cases). Diagnosis, treatment and liver transplant rates varied widely across the countries included in this analysis, as did the availability of reliable data. Addressing data gaps will be critical for the development of future strategies to manage and minimize the disease burden of hepatitis C.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Maaroufi
- National Institute of Health Administration, Rabat, Morocco
| | - A Vince
- Medical School University of Zagreb, University Hospital of Infectious Diseases Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - S M Himatt
- Ministry of Public Health Qatar, Doha, Qatar
| | - R Mohamed
- University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - J Fung
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - O Opare-Sem
- Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - A Workneh
- Non-Communicable Diseases Programme, World Health Organization, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.,Federal Ministry of Health, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - R Njouom
- Virology Department, Centre Pasteur of Cameroon, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - I Al Ghazzawi
- GI and Hepatology Department, Jordan Royal Medical Services, Amman, Jordan
| | - M Abdulla
- Salmaniya Medical Complex, Manama, Bahrain
| | - K S Kaliaskarova
- Ministry of Healthcare and Social Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Astana, Kazakhstan.,Republican Coordination Center for Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Astana, Kazakhstan
| | | | | | - D Adda
- Civil Society Network on Hepatitis, Abuja, Nigeria.,Chagro-Care Trust (CCT), Jalingo, Nigeria
| | - O Akin
- Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - A Al Baqali
- Al Kindi Specialised Hospital, Manama, Bahrain
| | - N Al Dweik
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - K Al Ejji
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - S Al Kaabi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - K Al Naamani
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Armed Forces Hospital, Muscat, Oman
| | - J Al Qamish
- Gastroenterolgy Clinic, IBN Al-Nafees Hospital, Manama, Bahrain
| | | | | | - M AlBadri
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - S A Al-Busafi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman
| | | | - W Ampofo
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - K Antonov
- University Hospital "St. Ivan Rilski", Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - C Anyaike
- Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - F Arome
- Advocacy for the Prevention of Hepatitis in Nigeria, Jos, Nigeria
| | - A Bane
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Addis Ababa University Medical School, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.,Ethiopian Gastroenterological Association, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - S Blach
- Center for Disease Analysis (CDA), Lafayette, CO, USA
| | - M M Borodo
- Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria.,Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria
| | - S M Brandon
- Center for Disease Analysis (CDA), Lafayette, CO, USA
| | - B Bright
- LiveWell Initiative (LWI), Lagos, Nigeria
| | - M T Butt
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - I Cardenas
- Communicable Diseases Division, Ministry of Health and Social Protection, Bogota, Colombia
| | - H L Y Chan
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China.,Institute of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | | | - D S Chen
- Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - P J Chen
- National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - R N Chien
- Liver Research Unit, Keelung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan
| | - W L Chuang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - D Cuellar
- Department of Epidemiology and Demography, Ministry of Health and Social Protection, Bogota, Colombia
| | - M Derbala
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - C Estes
- Center for Disease Analysis (CDA), Lafayette, CO, USA
| | - E Farag
- Ministry of Public Health Qatar, Doha, Qatar
| | - I Gamkrelidze
- Center for Disease Analysis (CDA), Lafayette, CO, USA
| | - V Garcia
- Ministry of Public Health, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
| | - J Genov
- University Hospital "Queen Joanna", Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Z Ghandour
- BDF Hospital, Royal Medical Services, Riffa, Bahrain
| | - M Ghuloom
- Salmaniya Medical Complex, Manama, Bahrain
| | - B Gomez
- Pan American Health Organization, Washington, DC, USA
| | - J Gunter
- Center for Disease Analysis (CDA), Lafayette, CO, USA
| | - J Habeeb
- Salmaniya Medical Complex, Manama, Bahrain
| | - O Hajelssedig
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - W Hamoudi
- Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Al Bashir Hospital, Amman, Jordan.,Jordan Ministry of Health, Amman, Jordan
| | - I Hrstic
- General Hospital Pula, Pula, Croatia
| | - C C Hu
- Liver Research Unit, Keelung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan
| | - C F Huang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - Y T Hui
- Department of Medicine, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - R Jahis
- Disease Control Division, Ministry of Health, Putrajaya, Malaysia
| | - D Jelev
- University Hospital "St. Ivan Rilski", Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - A K John
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Y Kamel
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.,Department of Medicine, Miniya University, Minya, Egypt
| | - J H Kao
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - J Khamis
- Salmaniya Medical Complex, Manama, Bahrain
| | - H Khattabi
- Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office, World Health Organization, Cairo, Egypt
| | - I Khoudri
- National Institute of Health Administration, Rabat, Morocco
| | - A Konysbekova
- Republican Diagnostic Center, Astana, Kazakhstan.,University Medical Center, Astana, Kazakhstan
| | - I Kotzev
- University Hospital "St. Marina", Varna, Bulgaria
| | - M S Lai
- Department of Medicine, North District Hospital, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - W C Lao
- Department of Medicine, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - J Layden
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - M H Lee
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - O Lesi
- University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria.,Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - M Li
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, Tuen Mun Hospital, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - A Lo
- Institute of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - C K Loo
- Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, Kwong Wah Hospital, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - B Lukšić
- Clinical Department of Infectious Diseases, Split University Hospital and Split University Medical School, Split, Croatia
| | - A O Malu
- Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, Nigeria
| | - L Mateva
- University Hospital "St. Ivan Rilski", Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - R Mitova
- University Hospital "Queen Joanna", Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - M Morović
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Zadar General Hospital, Zadar, Croatia
| | - K Murphy
- Center for Disease Analysis (CDA), Lafayette, CO, USA
| | | | - H Nde
- Center for Disease Analysis (CDA), Lafayette, CO, USA
| | - A Nersesov
- National Research Institute of Cardiology and Internal Diseases, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - E Ngige
- Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - O Njoya
- Research Laboratory on Viral Hepatitis & Health Communication, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yaoundé, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - D Nonković
- Department of Epidemiology, Institute of Public Health, County of Dalmatia, Split, Croatia
| | - S Obekpa
- Advocacy for the Prevention of Hepatitis in Nigeria, Jos, Nigeria.,Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, Nigeria
| | - S Oguche
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria.,Department of Medicine, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria.,Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria
| | - E E Okolo
- Beacon Youth Initiative, Lafia, Nigeria
| | - O Omede
- Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - C Omuemu
- University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
| | - P Ondoa
- Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,African Society of Laboratory Medicine, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - R O Phillips
- Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Y N Prokopenko
- Republican Coordination Center for Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Astana, Kazakhstan
| | - H Razavi
- Center for Disease Analysis (CDA), Lafayette, CO, USA
| | | | - B Redae
- Ethiopian Gastroenterological Association, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.,St. Paul's Hospital Millennium College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - T Reic
- European Liver Patients Association, Sint-Truiden, Belgium
| | - T Rinke de Wit
- PharmAccess Foundation, Department of Global Health, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - C Rios
- Department of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Ministry of Health and Social Protection, Bogota, Colombia
| | - S Robbins
- Center for Disease Analysis (CDA), Lafayette, CO, USA
| | - L R Roberts
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - S J Sanad
- BDF Hospital, Royal Medical Services, Riffa, Bahrain
| | - J D Schmelzer
- Center for Disease Analysis (CDA), Lafayette, CO, USA
| | - M Sharma
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - M Simonova
- Clinic of Gastroenterology, Military Medical Academy, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - T H Su
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - K Sultan
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - S S Tan
- Department of Hepatology, Selayang Hospital, Selangor, Malaysia
| | | | - O T Y Tsang
- Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, Princess Margaret Hospital Authority, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - S Tsang
- Department of Medicine, Tseung Kwan O Hospital, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - C Tzeuton
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon
| | - S Ugoeze
- Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo, Nigeria
| | - B Uzochukwu
- Institute of Public Health, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
| | - R Vi
- Republican Coordination Center for Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Astana, Kazakhstan.,International HepatoTransplant Group, Astana, Kazakhstan
| | - H U Wani
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - V W S Wong
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China.,State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - R Yacoub
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - K I Yesmembetov
- National Scientific Center of Oncology and Transplantology, Astana, Kazakhstan
| | - M Youbi
- National Institute of Health Administration, Rabat, Morocco
| | - M F Yuen
- Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
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27
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Hundie GB, Raj VS, GebreMichael D, Pas SD, Haagmans BL. Genetic diversity of hepatitis C virus in Ethiopia. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0179064. [PMID: 28570623 PMCID: PMC5453619 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0179064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2017] [Accepted: 05/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is genetically highly divergent and classified in seven major genotypes and approximately hundred subtypes. These genotypes/subtypes have different geographic distribution and response to antiviral therapy. In Ethiopia, however, little is known about their molecular epidemiology and genetic diversity. The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution and genetic diversity of HCV genotypes/subtypes in Ethiopia, using 49 HCV RNA positive samples. HCV genotypes and subtypes were determined based on the sequences of the core and the nonstructural protein 5B (NS5B) genomic regions. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the predominant was genotype 4 (77.6%) followed by 2 (12.2%), 1 (8.2%), and 5 (2.0%). Seven subtypes were identified (1b, 1c, 2c, 4d, 4l, 4r and 4v), with 4d (34.7%), 4r (34.7%) and 2c (12.2%) as the most frequent subtypes. Consistent with the presence of these subtypes was the identification of a potential recombinant virus. One strain was typed as genotype 2c in the NS5B region sequence and genotype 4d in the core region. In conclusion, genotype 4 HCV viruses, subtypes 4d and 4r, are most prevalent in Ethiopia. This genotype is considered to be difficult to treat, thus, our finding has an important impact on the development of treatment strategies and patient management in Ethiopia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - V. Stalin Raj
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Suzan D. Pas
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Bart L. Haagmans
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- * E-mail:
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28
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Ndiaye O, Gozlan J, Diop-Ndiaye H, Sall AS, Chapelain S, Leprêtre A, Maynart M, Gueye M, Lo G, Thiam M, Ba I, Lacombe K, Girard PM, Mboup S, Kane CT. Usefulness of Dried Blood Spots (DBS) to perform hepatitis C virus genotyping in drug users in Senegal. J Med Virol 2016; 89:484-488. [PMID: 26705258 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.24460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this pilot study was to analyze the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) genotypes circulating in Senegal among Drug User (DUs), using Dried Blood Spots (DBS) as RNA source for molecular assays. Heroin and/or cocaine users (n = 506) were recruited in Dakar from April to July 2011, using a Respondent Driven Sampling (RDS) method. DBS preparation consisted of five drops of whole blood from finger applied to a Whatman paper card. HCV infection was screened by the detection of anti-HCV antibodies, using a rapid immune-chromatographic test. HCV RNA was quantified on anti-HCV positive DBS, using the Abbott RealTime HCV® Genotyping was performed on DBS with detectable viral load with Versant® HCV Genotype 2.0 Assay (LiPA) and Abbott RealTime HCV Genotype II assay®. Among the 506 participants, 120 were tested as positive for anti-HCV antibodies and their samples were analyzed for HCV RNA viral load and genotype. Out of the 120 DBS tested, HCV RNA was detected on 25 (20.8%). The median viral load was 15,058 IU/ml (ranging from 710 to 766,740 IU/ml). All positive DBS were suitable for the genotyping assay, that showed a predominance of genotype 1 (21/25) including 16 genotypes 1a and 5 genotypes 1b. HCV genotype 1 prevails in a DU population in Dakar. DBS could be useful for HCV RNA genotyping, but optimal storage conditions should required avoiding RNA impairment. Acknowledging this limitation, DBS could be a great interest for detecting and genotyping HCV viremic patients. J. Med. Virol. 89:484-488, 2017. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Ndiaye
- Bacteriology-Virology laboratory, CHU A. le Dantec, Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar, Dakar, Senegal.,Regional center for research and training on HIV/AIDS CHU Fann, Dakar, Senegal
| | - J Gozlan
- Saint Antoine Hospital, Paris, France
| | - H Diop-Ndiaye
- Bacteriology-Virology laboratory, CHU A. le Dantec, Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar, Dakar, Senegal
| | - A S Sall
- Bacteriology-Virology laboratory, CHU A. le Dantec, Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar, Dakar, Senegal
| | | | - A Leprêtre
- Institute of Medecine and Applied Epidemiology-IMEA, Paris, France
| | - M Maynart
- Regional center for research and training on HIV/AIDS CHU Fann, Dakar, Senegal
| | - M Gueye
- Bacteriology-Virology laboratory, CHU A. le Dantec, Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar, Dakar, Senegal
| | - G Lo
- Bacteriology-Virology laboratory, CHU A. le Dantec, Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar, Dakar, Senegal
| | - M Thiam
- Bacteriology-Virology laboratory, CHU A. le Dantec, Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar, Dakar, Senegal
| | - I Ba
- Psychiatry Service, CHU Fann, Dakar, Senegal
| | - K Lacombe
- Saint Antoine Hospital, Paris, France
| | | | - S Mboup
- Bacteriology-Virology laboratory, CHU A. le Dantec, Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar, Dakar, Senegal
| | - C T Kane
- Bacteriology-Virology laboratory, CHU A. le Dantec, Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar, Dakar, Senegal
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29
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Epidemiology of hepatitis C virus in Ghana: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Infect Dis 2016; 16:391. [PMID: 27507267 PMCID: PMC4977883 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-016-1708-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/12/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background To fully understand the burden of hepatitis C (HCV) infection in Ghana towards informing appropriate preventive measures, accurate prevalence estimates are needed. In this study, we estimate the prevalence of chronic HCV infection by systematically reviewing primary studies published between 1995 and 2015. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted as per the PRISMA guidelines. Comprehensive searches for hepatitis C prevalence studies for the years 1995–2015 were conducted in PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, Africa Journals Online (AJOL) and the WHO African Index Medicus databases. We also searched the websites of the ministry of health and Ghana Health service for non-indexed studies or reports on the subject. Further systematic reference screening of published reviews and retrieved studies were also conducted to identify additional publications not captured through the online searches. Results Twenty-Four (24) studies from nine regions of Ghana with a combined sample size of 100,782 were analyzed. No study involving participants from Upper West region was retrieved. The national prevalence of chronic HCV was estimated as 3.0 % (95 % CI = 2.6 % to 3.5 %; I2 = 97.61 %, p < 0. 001). Prevalence rates of chronic HCV infection among blood donors was 2.6 % (95 % CI = 2.1 % to 3.1 %; I2 = 98.33 %, p < 0.001) with higher prevalence rate estimated for replacement blood donors (RBDs) than voluntary blood donors (RBDs). Among pregnant women and parturients, anti-HCV seroprevalence was estimated as 4.6 % (95 % CI = 1.8 % to 7.5 %; I2 = 75.74 %, p = 0.016). The national prevalence of HIV/HCV co-infection was also estimated as 2.8 % (95 % CI = 0.4-6 %; I2 = 65.86 %, p = 0.0053). Regional prevalence of chronic HCV infection were determined for Ashanti (1.5 %, 95 % CI = 1.2 % to 1.9 %; I2 = 96.24 %, p < 0.001) and Greater Accra (6.4 %, 95 % CI = 4.2 % to 8.6 %; I2 = I2 = 88.5 %, P < 0. 001) regions but no estimates were available for the other eight regions. The ascending order of HCV prevalence rates according to years in which studies were conducted was 2006–2010 < 2011–2015 < 1995–2002 < 2001–2005. Higher prevalence of chronic HCV infection was estimated for rural (5.7; 95 % CI 5.0–6.3 %; I2 = 0, p = 0.804) than urban (2.6 %, 95 % CI = 2.1 % to 3.0 %; I2 = 97.3 %, p = 0.0001) settings. Conclusion Our study demonstrates a high prevalence of chronic hepatitis C infection in Ghana. This highlights the urgent need for stronger commitments from government and all stakeholders within the country to outline efficient preventive and curative measures towards reducing the overall burden of the disease.
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30
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Yakass MB, Woodward BJ, Otoo MA, Hiadzi EK. Prevalence of blood borne viruses in IVF: an audit of a fertility Centre. JBRA Assist Reprod 2016; 20:132-6. [PMID: 27584606 PMCID: PMC5264378 DOI: 10.5935/1518-0557.20160030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The rate of infertility continues to be on the increase in the developing
world. Similarly, the rates of blood-borne viral infections (BBVs) such as
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C
virus (HCV) are also on this rise. In 2014, the World Health Organization
(WHO) quoted prevalences of 1.5% (HIV), 15% (HBV) 1.3 - 8.4% (HCV) in the
Ghanaian general population. It has been reported that BBVs can adversely
affect male fertility, specifically sperm count and progressive motility.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of BBVs in people with
infertility attending an IVF clinic and whether or not BBVs impacted on
sperm parameters. Methods A retrospective cohort study at a private fertility center in Accra, Ghana.
We had 229 recruited couples assayed for HBV, HCV and HIV. Sperm parameters
of the male partners were also assessed. The analysis performed included
student t-test and Fisher's exact test. Results We found prevalence rates of 1.7% (HIV), 7.9% (HBV) and 0.4% (HCV), which is
similar to what has already been reported in the Ghanaian community. There
was no significant difference between BBV positive and negative subjects for
sperm count (13.6 million/ml vs. 17.7 million/ml, P =
0.0599), percentage of progressive motility (26% vs. 30%, P
= 0.2129), percentage of normal forms (3% vs. 3%, P =
0.0617) and clinical pregnancy rates per embryo transfer (36.1% vs 34.9%,
P = 0.5) between BBV positive and BBV negative
subjects, respectively. Conclusion There is a similar prevalence of BBVs in sub-fertile couples and the general
Ghanaian population. However, no detrimental effect has been reported for
sperm parameters on grounds of BBV infectivity of the male partner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael B Yakass
- Assisted Conception Unit, Lister Hospital & Fertility Centre, Accra, Ghana
| | | | - Mary A Otoo
- Assisted Conception Unit, Lister Hospital & Fertility Centre, Accra, Ghana
| | - Edem K Hiadzi
- Assisted Conception Unit, Lister Hospital & Fertility Centre, Accra, Ghana
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31
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Rajhi M, Ghedira K, Chouikha A, Djebbi A, Cheikh I, Ben Yahia A, Sadraoui A, Hammami W, Azouz M, Ben Mami N, Triki H. Phylogenetic Analysis and Epidemic History of Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 2 in Tunisia, North Africa. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0153761. [PMID: 27100294 PMCID: PMC4839596 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0153761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2015] [Accepted: 04/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
HCV genotype 2 (HCV-2) has a worldwide distribution with prevalence rates that vary from country to country. High genetic diversity and long-term endemicity were suggested in West African countries. A global dispersal of HCV-2 would have occurred during the 20th century, especially in European countries. In Tunisia, genotype 2 was the second prevalent genotype after genotype 1 and most isolates belong to subtypes 2c and 2k. In this study, phylogenetic analyses based on the NS5B genomic sequences of 113 Tunisian HCV isolates from subtypes 2c and 2k were carried out. A Bayesian coalescent-based framework was used to estimate the origin and the spread of these subtypes circulating in Tunisia. Phylogenetic analyses of HCV-2c sequences suggest the absence of country-specific or time-specific variants. In contrast, the phylogenetic grouping of HCV-2k sequences shows the existence of two major genetic clusters that may represent two distinct circulating variants. Coalescent analysis indicated a most recent common ancestor (tMRCA) of Tunisian HCV-2c around 1886 (1869-1902) before the introduction of HCV-2k in 1901 (1867-1931). Our findings suggest that the introduction of HCV-2c in Tunisia is possibly a result of population movements between Tunisia and European population following the French colonization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mouna Rajhi
- Pasteur Institute, Tunis, Tunisia; Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory on Poliomyelitis and Measles, Tunis, Tunisia
- University of Carthage, Faculty of Sciences, Bizerte, Tunisia
- * E-mail:
| | - Kais Ghedira
- Pasteur Institute, Tunis, Tunisia; Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Mathematics and Statistics, Tunis, Tunisia
- University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, 1036, Tunisia
| | - Anissa Chouikha
- Pasteur Institute, Tunis, Tunisia; Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory on Poliomyelitis and Measles, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Ahlem Djebbi
- Pasteur Institute, Tunis, Tunisia; Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory on Poliomyelitis and Measles, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Imed Cheikh
- Department of Gastroenterology, Regional Hospital of Bizerte, Bizerte, Tunisia
| | - Ahlem Ben Yahia
- Pasteur Institute, Tunis, Tunisia; Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory on Poliomyelitis and Measles, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Amel Sadraoui
- Pasteur Institute, Tunis, Tunisia; Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory on Poliomyelitis and Measles, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Walid Hammami
- Pasteur Institute, Tunis, Tunisia; Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory on Poliomyelitis and Measles, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Msaddek Azouz
- Department of Gastroenterology, Regional Hospital of Nabeul, Nabeul, Tunisia
| | - Nabil Ben Mami
- Department of Gastroenterology, La Rabta Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Henda Triki
- Pasteur Institute, Tunis, Tunisia; Laboratory of Clinical Virology, WHO Regional Reference Laboratory on Poliomyelitis and Measles, Tunis, Tunisia
- University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, 1036, Tunisia
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32
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Forbi JC, Layden JE, Phillips RO, Mora N, Xia GL, Campo DS, Purdy MA, Dimitrova ZE, Owusu DO, Punkova LT, Skums P, Owusu-Ofori S, Sarfo FS, Vaughan G, Roh H, Opare-Sem OK, Cooper RS, Khudyakov YE. Next-Generation Sequencing Reveals Frequent Opportunities for Exposure to Hepatitis C Virus in Ghana. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0145530. [PMID: 26683463 PMCID: PMC4684299 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0145530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2015] [Accepted: 12/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Globally, hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection is responsible for a large proportion of persons with liver disease, including cancer. The infection is highly prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa. West Africa was identified as a geographic origin of two HCV genotypes. However, little is known about the genetic composition of HCV populations in many countries of the region. Using conventional and next-generation sequencing (NGS), we identified and genetically characterized 65 HCV strains circulating among HCV-positive blood donors in Kumasi, Ghana. Phylogenetic analysis using consensus sequences derived from 3 genomic regions of the HCV genome, 5'-untranslated region, hypervariable region 1 (HVR1) and NS5B gene, consistently classified the HCV variants (n = 65) into genotypes 1 (HCV-1, 15%) and genotype 2 (HCV-2, 85%). The Ghanaian and West African HCV-2 NS5B sequences were found completely intermixed in the phylogenetic tree, indicating a substantial genetic heterogeneity of HCV-2 in Ghana. Analysis of HVR1 sequences from intra-host HCV variants obtained by NGS showed that three donors were infected with >1 HCV strain, including infections with 2 genotypes. Two other donors share an HCV strain, indicating HCV transmission between them. The HCV-2 strain sampled from one donor was replaced with another HCV-2 strain after only 2 months of observation, indicating rapid strain switching. Bayesian analysis estimated that the HCV-2 strains in Ghana were expanding since the 16th century. The blood donors in Kumasi, Ghana, are infected with a very heterogeneous HCV population of HCV-1 and HCV-2, with HCV-2 being prevalent. The detection of three cases of co- or super-infections and transmission linkage between 2 cases suggests frequent opportunities for HCV exposure among the blood donors and is consistent with the reported high HCV prevalence. The conditions for effective HCV-2 transmission existed for ~ 3–4 centuries, indicating a long epidemic history of HCV-2 in Ghana.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph C. Forbi
- Molecular Epidemiology and Bioinformatics Laboratory, Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Jennifer E. Layden
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, United States of America
| | - Richard O. Phillips
- Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana, West Africa
- Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana, West Africa
| | - Nallely Mora
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Guo-liang Xia
- Molecular Epidemiology and Bioinformatics Laboratory, Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - David S. Campo
- Molecular Epidemiology and Bioinformatics Laboratory, Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Michael A. Purdy
- Molecular Epidemiology and Bioinformatics Laboratory, Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Zoya E. Dimitrova
- Molecular Epidemiology and Bioinformatics Laboratory, Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | | | - Lili T. Punkova
- Molecular Epidemiology and Bioinformatics Laboratory, Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Pavel Skums
- Molecular Epidemiology and Bioinformatics Laboratory, Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | | | - Fred Stephen Sarfo
- Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana, West Africa
- Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana, West Africa
| | - Gilberto Vaughan
- Molecular Epidemiology and Bioinformatics Laboratory, Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Hajung Roh
- Molecular Epidemiology and Bioinformatics Laboratory, Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | | | - Richard S. Cooper
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Yury E. Khudyakov
- Molecular Epidemiology and Bioinformatics Laboratory, Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
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Mwangi J, Nganga Z, Mpoke S, Lihana R, Kinyua J, Lagat N, Muriuki J, Lel R, Kageha S, Osman S, Ichimura H. Hepatitis C virus genotypes in Kenya. Arch Virol 2015; 161:95-101. [PMID: 26497178 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-015-2623-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2013] [Accepted: 09/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus is a great public-health concern worldwide. Phylogenetic analysis of the HCV genome has identified six different genotypes that have generally been divided into several subtypes. There is very little information on HCV seroprevalence and genotypes in Kenya. To determine the genotypes of HCV circulating in Kenya, blood donor samples were serologically tested and confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Positive samples were cloned and sequenced, and phylogenetic analysis conducted to determine the HCV genotypes. One hundred Murex-seropositive samples were re-tested using a passive hemagglutination test, and 16 of these were identified as seropositive. Further testing of all of the samples by PCR identified only 10 of the 16 samples as positive. Thus, only 10 % (10/100) of the samples were viremic. Six were from females (60 %), and four were from males (40 %). The mean age of the positive donors was considerably low, at 25 +/- 9 years. Genotypic testing indicated the presence of genotype 1a (10 %) and genotype 2b (90 %). This study reports on HCV genotypes in a blood donor population in Kenya where little had been done to provide information on HCV genotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Mwangi
- Center for Virus Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 54628, Nairobi, Kenya. .,Institute of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya.
| | - Zipporah Nganga
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Raphael Lihana
- Center for Virus Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 54628, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Joyceline Kinyua
- Center for Virus Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 54628, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Nancy Lagat
- Center for Virus Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 54628, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Joseph Muriuki
- Center for Virus Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 54628, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Rency Lel
- Center for Virus Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 54628, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Sheila Kageha
- Center for Virus Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 54628, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Saida Osman
- Center for Virus Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 54628, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Hiroshi Ichimura
- Department of Viral Infection and International Health, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
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Ruta S, Cernescu C. Injecting drug use: A vector for the introduction of new hepatitis C virus genotypes. World J Gastroenterol 2015; 21:10811-10823. [PMID: 26478672 PMCID: PMC4600582 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i38.10811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2015] [Revised: 06/19/2015] [Accepted: 09/15/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes’ monitoring allows real-time insight into the dynamic changes that occur in the global epidemiological picture of HCV infection. Intravenous drug use is currently the primary driver for HCV transmission in developed and developing countries. The distribution of HCV genotypes/subtypes differs significantly between people who inject drugs (PWID) and the general population. HCV genotypes that previously exhibited a limited geographical distribution (3a, 4) are becoming more prevalent in this high-risk group. Immigration from HCV-endemic countries and the evolving networks of HCV transmission in PWID influence HCV genotypes distribution in Europe. Social vulnerabilities (e.g., unemployment, homelessness, and limited access to social and healthcare insurances systems) are important triggers for illicit drug use, which increases the associated risks of HCV infection and the frequent emergence of less prevalent genotypes. Genotype/subtype determination bears important clinical consequences in the progression of liver disease, susceptibility to antiviral therapies and the emergence of resistance-associated variants. An estimated half of the chronically HCV-infected PWID are unaware of their infection, and only one in ten of those diagnosed enter treatment. Nevertheless, PWID exhibit high response rates to new antiviral regimens, and the level of HCV reinfection is unexpectedly low. The focus of the healthcare system must be on the early detection and treatment of infection, to avoid late presentations that are associated with high levels of viremia and liver fibrosis, which may diminish the therapeutic success rate.
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Nishiya AS, Almeida-Neto CD, Romano CM, Alencar CS, Ferreira SC, Di-Lorenzo-Oliveira C, Levi JE, Salles NA, Mendrone-Junior A, Sabino EC. Phylogenetic analysis of the emergence of main hepatitis C virus subtypes in São Paulo, Brazil. Braz J Infect Dis 2015; 19:473-8. [PMID: 26296325 PMCID: PMC9427527 DOI: 10.1016/j.bjid.2015.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2015] [Revised: 04/10/2015] [Accepted: 06/14/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background It is recognized that hepatitis C virus subtypes (1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 2c and 3a) originated in Africa and Asia and spread worldwide exponentially during the Second World War (1940) through the transfusion of contaminated blood products, invasive medical and dental procedures, and intravenous drug use. The entry of hepatitis C virus subtypes into different regions occurred at distinct times, presenting exponential growth rates of larger or smaller spread. Our study estimated the growth and spread of the most prevalent subtypes currently circulating in São Paulo. Methods A total of 465 non-structural region 5B sequences of hepatitis C virus covering a 14-year time-span were used to reconstruct the population history and estimate the population dynamics and Time to Most Recent Common Ancestor of genotypes using the Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo approach implemented in BEAST (Bayesian evolutionary analysis by sampling tree software/program). Results Evolutionary analysis demonstrated that the different hepatitis C virus subtypes had distinct growth patterns. The introduction of hepatitis C virus-1a and -3a were estimated to be circa 1979 and 1967, respectively, whereas hepatitis C virus-1b appears to have a more ancient entry, circa 1923. Hepatitis C virus-1b phylogenies suggest that different lineages circulate in São Paulo, and four well-supported groups (i.e., G1, G2, G3 and G4) were identified. Hepatitis C virus-1a presented the highest growth rate (r = 0.4), but its spread became less marked after the 2000s. Hepatitis C virus-3a grew exponentially until the 1990s and had an intermediate growth rate (r = 0.32). An evident exponential growth (r = 0.26) was found for hepatitis C virus-1b between 1980 and the mid-1990s. Conclusions After an initial period of exponential growth, the expansion of the three main subtypes began to decrease. Hepatitis C virus-1b presented inflated genetic diversity, and its transmission may have been sustained by different generations and transmission routes other than blood transfusion. Hepatitis C virus-1a and -3a showed no group stratification, most likely due to their recent entry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Shoko Nishiya
- Fundação Pró-Sangue/Hemocentro de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Infectious Diseases Division (DIPA), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - César de Almeida-Neto
- Fundação Pró-Sangue/Hemocentro de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Discipline of Medical Science, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Camila Malta Romano
- Laboratory of Virology, Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Cecília Salete Alencar
- Infectious Diseases Division (DIPA), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Lim 03 Medical Research Laboratory, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Suzete Cleusa Ferreira
- Fundação Pró-Sangue/Hemocentro de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Infectious Diseases Division (DIPA), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Ester Cerdeira Sabino
- Infectious Diseases Division (DIPA), Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Department of Infectious Disease, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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King S, Adjei-Asante K, Appiah L, Adinku D, Beloukas A, Atkins M, Sarfo SF, Chadwick D, Phillips RO, Geretti AM. Antibody screening tests variably overestimate the prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection among HIV-infected adults in Ghana. J Viral Hepat 2015; 22:461-8. [PMID: 25394987 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.12354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2014] [Accepted: 08/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
HIV coinfection with HCV has been poorly studied in sub-Saharan Africa, and the reliability of available seroprevalence estimates remains uncertain. The study aim was to determine HCV RNA prevalence in HIV-infected subjects receiving care in Kumasi, Ghana, and relate the findings to HCV antibody detection. From a population of 1520 HIV-infected adults, all HBsAg-positive subjects (n = 236) and a random subset of HBsAg-negative subject (n = 172) were screened for HCV RNA using pooled plasma; positive samples were genotyped by core and NS5B sequencing. HCV antibodies were detected by three commercial screening assays and confirmed by the line immunoassay. HCV RNA was detected in 4/408 subjects (1.0%, 95% confidence interval 0.0-1.9%), comprising 3/236 (1.3%; 0.0-2.8%) HBsAg-positive and 1/172 (0.6%; 0.0-1.8%) HBsAg-negative subjects. HCV RNA-positive subjects showed reactivity in all three antibody screening assays. Among HCV RNA-negative subjects, 5/67 (7.5%), 5/67 (7.5%) and 19/67 (28.4%) showed antibody reactivity by each screening assay, respectively, including two (3.0%) with reactivity by all three assays. Only one sample (1.5%) had confirmed antibody reactivity by line immunoassay indicating past HCV infection. HCV-positive subjects (three males, two females) were aged 30-46 years, by questionnaire-based interview reported surgical procedures and blood transfusion as risk factors for infection. HCV genotypes were 2 (subtypes 2j, 2l, 2k/unassigned) and 1 (subtype unassigned). Without further testing, HCV antibody screening assays variably overestimated HCV prevalence among HIV-infected subjects in Ghana. These findings inform the interpretation of previous seroprevalence estimates based upon screening assays alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- S King
- Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
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Purdy MA, Forbi JC, Sue A, Layden JE, Switzer WM, Opare-Sem OK, Phillips RO, Khudyakov YE. A re-evaluation of the origin of hepatitis C virus genotype 2 in West Africa. J Gen Virol 2015; 96:2157-2164. [PMID: 25888623 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.000153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is classified into seven genotypes based on genetic diversity, and most genotypes have been found in Africa. Infections with HCV genotype 2 (HCV2) are most prevalent in West Africa and it was suggested that HCV2 originated in West Africa. To better understand the evolutionary epidemiology of HCV2 in Africa, we examined new NS5B sequences of HCV2 strains obtained from Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana and Nigeria sequenced at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with those available from West, North and Central Africa. Bayesian phylogeographic analysis using a discrete trait model showed that Ghana was the most likely geographical region for the origin of HCV2. Spread of HCV2 from Ghana did not appear to be through diffusion to adjacent countries along the coast. Rather, it was transmitted from Ghana to many distant countries in Africa, suggesting that certain routes of geographical dissemination were historically more efficient than mere proximity and that the HCV2 epidemic history in West Africa is extremely complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Purdy
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, 30333, USA
| | - Joseph C Forbi
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, 30333, USA
| | - Amanda Sue
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, 30333, USA
| | - Jennifer E Layden
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Loyola University, Chicago, IL, 60660, USA
| | - William M Switzer
- Division of HIV/AIDS, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, 30333, USA
| | - Ohene K Opare-Sem
- Department of Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Richard O Phillips
- Department of Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Yury E Khudyakov
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, 30333, USA
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Layden JE, Phillips RO, Owusu-Ofori S, Sarfo FS, Kliethermes S, Mora N, Owusu D, Nelson K, Opare-Sem O, Dugas L, Luke A, Shoham D, Forbi JC, Khudyakov YE, Cooper RS. High frequency of active HCV infection among seropositive cases in west Africa and evidence for multiple transmission pathways. Clin Infect Dis 2015; 60:1033-1041. [PMID: 25477425 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciu965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2025] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has one of the highest global hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevalence estimates. However, reports that suggest high rates of serologic false positives and low levels of viremia have led to uncertainty regarding the burden of active infection in this region. Additionally, little is known about the predominant transmission risk factors in SSA. METHODS We prospectively recalled 363 past blood donors (180 who were rapid screen assay [RSA] positive and 183 who were RSA negative at time of donation) to identify the level of active infection and risk factors for infection at a teaching hospital in Kumasi, Ghana. Participants had repeat blood testing and were administered a questionnaire on risk factors. RESULTS The frequency of HCV active infection ranged from 74.4% to 88% depending on the criteria used to define serologically positive cases. Individuals with active disease had biochemical evidence of liver inflammation and median viral loads of 5.7 log copies/mL. Individuals from the northern and upper regions of Ghana had greater risks of infection compared with participants from other areas. Additional risk factors included traditional circumcision, home birth, tribal scarring, and hepatitis B virus coinfection. CONCLUSIONS Viremic infection was common among serologically confirmed cases. Attention to testing algorithms is needed in order to define the true HCV burden in SSA. These data also suggest that several transmission modes are likely contributing to the current HCV epidemic in Ghana and that the distribution of these practices may result in substantial regional variation in prevalence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer E Layden
- Department of Public Health Sciences Department of Medicine, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois
| | - Richard O Phillips
- Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | | | - Fred Stephen Sarfo
- Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Stephanie Kliethermes
- Department of Public Health Sciences Department of Medicine, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois
| | | | | | - Kenrad Nelson
- Departments of Epidemiology and International Health, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ohene Opare-Sem
- Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | | | - Amy Luke
- Department of Public Health Sciences
| | | | - Joseph C Forbi
- Molecular Epidemiology and Bioinformatics Laboratory, Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Yury E Khudyakov
- Molecular Epidemiology and Bioinformatics Laboratory, Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, Georgia
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Characterisation of hepatitis C virus genotype among blood donors at the regional blood transfusion centre of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. BLOOD TRANSFUSION = TRASFUSIONE DEL SANGUE 2014; 12 Suppl 1:s54-7. [PMID: 24599906 DOI: 10.2450/2013.0089-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2012] [Accepted: 06/25/2012] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is responsible for about 900 deaths every year in Burkina Faso. In this country, serological screening for hepatitis B and C viruses is only carried out systematically among blood donors. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and genotypes of HCV among blood donors using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and real-time PCR, respectively. MATERIALS AND METHODS Serum samples were screened for antibodies to HCV using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ARCHITECT-i1000SR-ABBOTT). All the reactive samples for HCV antibodies were re-tested using a second enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Bio-Rad, Marnes la Coquette, France) for confirmation. RNA was detected in all the reactive samples for antibodies to HCV. HCV RNA positive samples were genotyped using the HCV Real-TM Genotype kit (Sacace Biotechnologies, Italy). RESULTS Among 2,200 blood donors, the prevalences of antibodies to HCV and viral RNA were 4.4% (95% confidence interval=3.5-5.3) and 1.5% (95% confidence interval=1.0-2.0), respectively. Among HCV RNA carriers, genotyping showed that HCV genotypes 2 and 3 were the most prevalent as they were detected in 18 (56.3%) and 5 (15.6%) individuals, respectively. HCV genotypes 1a and 4 were the least frequent among the blood donors. HCV mixed genotypes 2/3 and 2/4 were also detected among the blood donors. CONCLUSION The prevalence of HCV found in this study is lower than previously reported prevalences. Large-scale studies are needed to obtain a better picture of the molecular epidemiology of HCV in Burkina Faso.
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Iles JC, Raghwani J, Harrison GLA, Pepin J, Djoko CF, Tamoufe U, LeBreton M, Schneider BS, Fair JN, Tshala FM, Kayembe PK, Muyembe JJ, Edidi-Basepeo S, Wolfe ND, Simmonds P, Klenerman P, Pybus OG. Phylogeography and epidemic history of hepatitis C virus genotype 4 in Africa. Virology 2014; 464-465:233-243. [PMID: 25105489 PMCID: PMC4162651 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2014.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2014] [Revised: 07/04/2014] [Accepted: 07/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
HCV genotype 4 is prevalent in many African countries, yet little is known about the genotype׳s epidemic history on the continent. We present a comprehensive study of the molecular epidemiology of genotype 4. To address the deficit of data from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) we PCR amplified 60 new HCV isolates from the DRC, resulting in 33 core- and 48 NS5B-region sequences. Our data, together with genotype 4 database sequences, were analysed using Bayesian phylogenetic approaches. We find three well-supported intra-genotypic lineages and estimate that the genotype 4 common ancestor existed around 1733 (1650-1805). We show that genotype 4 originated in central Africa and that multiple lineages have been exported to north Africa since ~1850, including subtype 4a which dominates the epidemic in Egypt. We speculate on the causes of the historical intra-continental spread of genotype 4, including population movements during World War 2.
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Affiliation(s)
- James C Iles
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PS, UK
| | - Jayna Raghwani
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PS, UK
| | - G L Abby Harrison
- Department of Infection & Immunity, Walter & Eliza Hall Institute, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Jacques Pepin
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Felix M Tshala
- Department of Military Health, Ministry of Defense, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Patrick K Kayembe
- Kinshasa School of Public Health, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Jean Jacques Muyembe
- National Institute of Biomedical Research, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Samuel Edidi-Basepeo
- National AIDS Control Program, Reference Laboratory, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Nathan D Wolfe
- Metabiota, San Francisco, USA; Stanford University Program in Human Biology, Stanford, USA
| | - Peter Simmonds
- Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Paul Klenerman
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Oliver G Pybus
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PS, UK.
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Melo IC, Ferraz MLG, Perez RM, Emori CT, Uehara SNDO, de Carvalho-Filho RJ, Silva AEB, de Souza e Silva IS. Do differences exist between chronic hepatitis C genotypes 2 and 3? Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2014; 47:143-8. [PMID: 24861286 DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-0269-2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2014] [Accepted: 04/14/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Six genotypes of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) have been identified thus far, and their distribution is well defined. Genotype 1, which is the most prevalent worldwide, is always compared to genotypes 2 and 3, particularly in terms of treatment response. However, little is known about the differences between genotypes 2 and 3 because these genotypes are analyzed together in most studies. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate differences in the clinical, epidemiological, laboratory, and histological parameters between HCV-2 and HCV-3. METHODS Patients with chronic hepatitis C infected with genotypes 2 and 3 were studied retrospectively and compared according to clinical, laboratory, and histological aspects. Hepatitis C virus-ribonucleic acid (HCV-RNA) was analyzed quantitatively by TaqMan® real-time PCR, and the HCV genotype was determined by sequencing the 5'-untranslated region. RESULTS A total of 306 patients with chronic HCV-2 (n=50) and HCV-3 (n = 256) were studied. Subtype 2b (n=17/50) and subtype 3a (n=244/256) were the most prevalent among patients infected with HCV-2 and HCV-3, respectively. The mean age was 47 ± 10 years, and there was a predominance of men in the group studied (61%). Comparative analysis between HCV-2 and HCV-3 showed a younger age (p=0.002), less prevalence of arterial hypertension (p=0.03), higher serum albumin levels (p=0.01), more advanced stage of liver fibrosis (p=0.03), and higher frequency of steatosis in patients with HCV-3 (p=0.001). After multivariate regression analysis, all the variables, except serum albumin, remained as variables associated with HCV-3 in the final model. CONCLUSIONS Clinical and histological differences exist between HCV-2 and HVC-3, which suggests the need for separate analyses of these genotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaura Cunha Melo
- Departamento de Gastroenterologia, Unidade de Hepatologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Maria Lucia Gomes Ferraz
- Departamento de Gastroenterologia, Unidade de Hepatologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Renata Mello Perez
- Departamento de Medicina Interna, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
| | - Christine Takemi Emori
- Departamento de Gastroenterologia, Unidade de Hepatologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Petruzziello A, Coppola N, Loquercio G, Marigliano S, Giordano M, Azzaro R, Diodato AM, Iervolino V, Di Costanzo G, Di Macchia CA, Di Meo T, Paradiso L, Ferro R, Giuliano P, Russo F, Pasquale G, Cacciapuoti C. Distribution pattern of hepatitis C virus genotypes and correlation with viral load and risk factors in chronic positive patients. Intervirology 2014; 57:311-8. [PMID: 25170801 DOI: 10.1159/000363386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2013] [Accepted: 05/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has emerged as a leading cause of chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. The purpose of this study was to describe the distribution pattern of HCV genotypes in chronic hepatitis patients in the Campania region of southern Italy and estimate their association with risk factors and viral load. MATERIALS AND METHODS 404 consecutive HCV ribonucleic acid-positive patients were included in the study. HCV genotyping was carried out by the HCV line probe assay test and viral load estimation by the TaqMan real-time PCR system. RESULTS The predominant genotype was 1 (63.6%), followed by genotype 2 (29.4%), 3 (6.2%) and 4 (0.8%). Subtype 1b was more frequent in females than in males. Conversely, genotype 3 was more frequent in males. No significant difference was observed in age distribution of HCV genotypes. Surgery and dental therapy were the most frequent risk factors for genotype 1 and intravenous drug abuse and tattooing for genotype 3. Patients with genotype 1 more frequently showed high HCV viral load when compared to those with genotypes 2 and 3. CONCLUSION The present study revealed that HCV genotypes 1 and 2 accounted for over 95% of all HCV infections in the Campania region, and genotype 1 was more frequently associated with a higher viral load when compared to genotypes 2 and 3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnolfo Petruzziello
- Laboratory of Virology and Molecular Biology 'V. Tridente', Transfusion Service, Department of Haemathology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori - Fondazione 'G. Pascale', IRCCS Italia, Naples, Italy
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Characterization of hepatitis C virus genotypes by direct sequencing of HCV 5'UTR region of isolates from Saudi Arabia. PLoS One 2014; 9:e103160. [PMID: 25099694 PMCID: PMC4123900 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0103160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2014] [Accepted: 06/26/2014] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The current study was designed to determine the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) genotypes in a representative sample of HCV chronically infected patients in Saudi Arabia. All HCV isolates were genotyped by sequencing of the 5′UTR region and newly identified HCV isolates were identified. Specific universal primers targeting 5′UTR region were used for both amplification and sequencing of all isolates that resulted in 244 bp fragment which represent about 80% of 5′UTR region. Most of HCV isolates in this study were genotype 4 (76.4%) where only few isolates were recognized as genotype 1 (19.6%). All results were compared to HCV reference sequences from LOS ALAMOS HCV database, considering only the complete full genomes for the main phylogenetic analysis. Sequences that showed maximum identity (98% –100%) were selected. Most isolates were identical with HCV genotype 4 references. Some isolates were similar to different subtypes of HCV genotypes 4, 1 and 6. Phylogenetic analysis showed resemblance of most isolates to similar ones from the Far East, North America and Egypt. Using sequence Weblogo, Alignment analysis of isolated HCV genotypes 4 and 1 showed 92% and 95.5% nucleotide conservation, respectively. There was no predominant nucleotide in the varied sites, in both genotypes. All isolated sequences were submitted to GenBank database.
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Opare-Sem O, Bedu-Addo G, Karikari P, Boateng P, Sarkodie F, Rahman R, Asenso-Mensah K, Awuah B, Osei Akoto A, Munin SA, Mensah-Acheampong F, Allain JP, Owusu-Ofori S. Fourteen-year experience of a tertiary hospital transfusion committee in West Africa. Transfusion 2014; 54:2852-62. [DOI: 10.1111/trf.12690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2014] [Revised: 03/19/2014] [Accepted: 03/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ohene Opare-Sem
- Department of Medicine; Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital; Kumasi Ghana UK
| | - George Bedu-Addo
- Department of Medicine; Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital; Kumasi Ghana UK
| | - Patrick Karikari
- Department of Oral Health; Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital; Kumasi Ghana UK
| | - Peter Boateng
- Transfusion Medicine Unit; Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital; Kumasi Ghana UK
| | - Francis Sarkodie
- Transfusion Medicine Unit; Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital; Kumasi Ghana UK
| | - Rabiniatu Rahman
- Transfusion Medicine Unit; Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital; Kumasi Ghana UK
| | | | - Baffour Awuah
- Department of Oncology; Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital; Kumasi Ghana UK
| | - Alex Osei Akoto
- Department of Paediatrics; Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital; Kumasi Ghana UK
| | - S.A. Abdul Munin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital; Kumasi Ghana UK
| | - Fred Mensah-Acheampong
- Policy, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Unit; Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital; Kumasi Ghana UK
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Forbi JC, Campo DS, Purdy MA, Dimitrova ZE, Skums P, Xia GL, Punkova LT, Ganova-Raeva LM, Vaughan G, Ben-Ayed Y, Switzer WM, Khudyakov YE. Intra-host diversity and evolution of hepatitis C virus endemic to Côte d'Ivoire. J Med Virol 2014; 86:765-71. [PMID: 24519518 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.23897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection presents an important, but underappreciated public health problem in Africa. In Côte d'Ivoire, very little is known about the molecular dynamics of HCV infection. Plasma samples (n = 608) from pregnant women collected in 1995 from Côte d'Ivoire were analyzed in this study. Only 18 specimens (∼3%) were found to be HCV PCR-positive. Phylogenetic analysis of the HCV NS5b sequences showed that the HCV variants belong to genotype 1 (HCV1) (n = 12, 67%) and genotype 2 (HCV2) (n = 6, 33%), with a maximum genetic diversity among HCV variants in each genotype being 20.7% and 24.0%, respectively. Although all HCV2 variants were genetically distant from each other, six HCV1 variants formed two tight sub-clusters belonging to HCV1a and HCV1b. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed that the genetic structure of HCV isolates from West Africa with Côte d'Ivoire included were significantly different from Central African strains (P = 0.0001). Examination of intra-host viral populations using next-generation sequencing of the HCV HVR1 showed a significant variation in intra-host genetic diversity among infected individuals, with some strains composed of sub-populations as distant from each other as viral populations from different hosts. Collectively, the results indicate a complex HCV evolution in Côte d'Ivoire, similar to the rest of West Africa, and suggest a unique HCV epidemic history in the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph C Forbi
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, National Center for HIV, Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GEORGIA
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46
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Ramirez S, Li YP, Jensen SB, Pedersen J, Gottwein JM, Bukh J. Highly efficient infectious cell culture of three hepatitis C virus genotype 2b strains and sensitivity to lead protease, nonstructural protein 5A, and polymerase inhibitors. Hepatology 2014; 59:395-407. [PMID: 23913364 DOI: 10.1002/hep.26660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2013] [Accepted: 07/25/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a genetically diverse virus with multiple genotypes exhibiting remarkable differences, particularly in drug susceptibility. Drug and vaccine development will benefit from high-titer HCV cultures mimicking the complete viral life cycle, but such systems only exist for genotypes 1a and 2a. We developed efficient culture systems for the epidemiologically important genotype 2b. Full-length molecular clones of patient strains DH8 and DH10 were adapted to efficient growth in Huh7.5 cells by using F1468L/A1676S/D3001G (LSG) mutations. The previously developed J8cc prototype 2b recombinant was further adapted. DH8 and J8 achieved infectivity titers >4.5 log10 Focus-Forming Units/mL. A defined set of DH8 mutations had cross-isolate adapting potential. A chimeric genome with the DH10 polyprotein coding sequence inserted into a vector with J8 untranslated regions was viable. Importantly, we succeeded in generating DH8, J8, and DH10 viruses with authentic sequences in the regions targeted by lead direct-acting antivirals. Nonstructural protein (NS)5B inhibitors sofosbuvir, mericitabine, and BI207127 had activity against 1a (strain TN), 2a (strains JFH1 and J6), and the 2b strains, whereas VX-222 and filibuvir only inhibited 1a. Genotype 2b strains were least sensitive to seven lead protease inhibitors, including MK-5172 with high overall potency. NS5A inhibitor daclatasvir was exceptionally potent, but efficacy was affected by the HCV strain. CONCLUSION Highly efficient HCV full-length 2b culture systems can be established by using consensus clones with defined mutations. Lead protease and NS5A inhibitors, as well as polymerase inhibitors sofosbuvir, mericitabine, and BI207127, show cross-activity against full-length 1a, 2a, and 2b viruses, but important sensitivity differences exist at the isolate level. Infectious cultures for different HCV strains will advance studies on viral biology and pathogenesis and promote individualized patient treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santseharay Ramirez
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Research Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre and Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Abstract
Since the early 1990s, rapid tests have been available for detection of HIV infection. They were intended for field diagnosis, emergency and home testing. In addition, rapid tests for anti-HIV, hepatitis B surface antigen and antihepatitis C virus have been used for blood screening in many resource-poor areas to save resources and overcome lack of funding, equipment and electrical supply. The performance of rapid tests varies widely but some have sensitivity and specificity levels that meet standards established by enzyme immunoassays for anti-HIV. Compared with genomic detection of hepatitis B virus, hepatitis B surface antigen rapid tests and enzyme immunoassays have insufficient sensitivity. The clinical consequences of this performance deficit remain to be clarified. Anti-hepatitis C virus rapid tests detect chronically infected individuals who are viremic, however, further studies are required to fully assess their performance. In settings where few blood donations are collected and equipment is unavailable, rapid tests provide a flexible, technically undemanding and relatively inexpensive approach to ensuring a safer blood supply. When utilized for predonation screening in areas of high endemicity of viral markers, rapid tests provide the means to limit blood bag wasting, store only clinically usable blood and inform and counsel deferred donors. As with any laboratory assay, adequate training and sustained quality assurance programs are critical to maintain a safe supply of blood. As a means of achieving a safe blood supply, rapid tests for viral markers and nucleic acid testing have a place next to classic enzyme immunoassays in the definition of strategies that are adapted to a setting's epidemiology, the size and type of donor base, equipment, staff training and resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Pierre Allain
- Cambridge Blood Centre, Division of Transfusion Medicine, Department of Haematology, Long Road, Cambridge CB2 2PT, UK.
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Liu Y, Ma H, Chen S, Wang J, Liu G, Xu M, Ke L, He M. Interleukin-28B genetic variations and spontaneous clearance of hepatitis C antibody-positive blood donors in China. Transfusion 2013; 53:2498-504. [PMID: 23782163 DOI: 10.1111/trf.12305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2013] [Revised: 05/07/2013] [Accepted: 05/13/2013] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) near the interleukin (IL)28B gene have been shown to be associated with spontaneous clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in western populations. Anti-HCV-reactive and HCV RNA-negative samples were often found in Chinese blood donors. This study was to determine whether the IL28B gene variant is also associated with the natural outcome of HCV infection in Chinese blood donors. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS A total of 111 anti-HCV-negative blood donors and 100 anti-HCV-reactive subjects were enrolled in this study. HCV-infected blood donors were classified into spontaneous clearance group and chronic infection group through HCV RNA detection. IL28B genetic variations (rs8099917 and rs12979860) were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing. RESULTS A total of 24 (24.0%) donors spontaneously cleared HCV. The rs12979860 C allele frequency was 90.3% and the rs8099917 T allele frequency was 96.7% in our study. The rs12979860 CC genotype was strongly associated with spontaneous HCV clearance. Female blood donors had a higher rate of spontaneous HCV clearance than male donors (15/42 [35.7%] vs. 9/58 [15.5%], p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS The rs12979860 CC variant upstream of IL28B gene is associated with spontaneous clearance of HCV in Chinese blood donors and female donors are more likely to clear HCV infection than male donors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Liu
- Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, China; Peking Union Medical College, Chengdu, China; Luoyang Blood Center, Luoyang, Henan, China
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Iles JC, Abby Harrison G, Lyons S, Djoko CF, Tamoufe U, Lebreton M, Schneider BS, Fair JN, Tshala FM, Kayembe PK, Muyembe JJ, Edidi-Basepeo S, Wolfe ND, Klenerman P, Simmonds P, Pybus OG. Hepatitis C virus infections in the Democratic Republic of Congo exhibit a cohort effect. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2013; 19:386-94. [DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2013.01.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2012] [Revised: 01/24/2013] [Accepted: 01/25/2013] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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50
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Bonney JHK, Osei-Kwasi M, Adiku TK, Barnor JS, Amesiya R, Kubio C, Ahadzie L, Ölschläger S, Lelke M, Becker-Ziaja B, Pahlmann M, Günther S. Hospital-based surveillance for viral hemorrhagic fevers and hepatitides in Ghana. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2013; 7:e2435. [PMID: 24069490 PMCID: PMC3777898 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2013] [Accepted: 08/08/2013] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHF) are acute diseases associated with bleeding, organ failure, and shock. VHF may hardly be distinguished clinically from other diseases in the African hospital, including viral hepatitis. This study was conducted to determine if VHF and viral hepatitis contribute to hospital morbidity in the Central and Northern parts of Ghana. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS From 2009 to 2011, blood samples of 258 patients with VHF symptoms were collected at 18 hospitals in Ashanti, Brong-Ahafo, Northern, Upper West, and Upper East regions. Patients were tested by PCR for Lassa, Rift Valley, Crimean-Congo, Ebola/Marburg, and yellow fever viruses; hepatitis A (HAV), B (HBV), C (HCV), and E (HEV) viruses; and by ELISA for serological hepatitis markers. None of the patients tested positive for VHF. However, 21 (8.1%) showed anti-HBc IgM plus HBV DNA and/or HBsAg; 37 (14%) showed HBsAg and HBV DNA without anti-HBc IgM; 26 (10%) showed anti-HAV IgM and/or HAV RNA; and 20 (7.8%) were HCV RNA-positive. None was positive for HEV RNA or anti-HEV IgM plus IgG. Viral genotypes were determined as HAV-IB, HBV-A and E, and HCV-1, 2, and 4. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE VHFs do not cause significant hospital morbidity in the study area. However, the incidence of acute hepatitis A and B, and hepatitis B and C with active virus replication is high. These infections may mimic VHF and need to be considered if VHF is suspected. The data may help decision makers to allocate resources and focus surveillance systems on the diseases of relevance in Ghana.
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MESH Headings
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Antibodies, Viral/blood
- Blood/virology
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- DNA, Viral/blood
- Epidemiological Monitoring
- Female
- Ghana/epidemiology
- Hemorrhagic Fevers, Viral/epidemiology
- Hemorrhagic Fevers, Viral/virology
- Hepatitis, Viral, Human/epidemiology
- Hepatitis, Viral, Human/virology
- Hospitals
- Humans
- Incidence
- Male
- Molecular Sequence Data
- RNA, Viral/blood
- Sequence Analysis, DNA
- Viruses/isolation & purification
- Young Adult
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Humphrey Kofi Bonney
- Virology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute of Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
- Department of Virology, Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Mubarak Osei-Kwasi
- Virology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute of Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | | | - Jacob Samson Barnor
- Virology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute of Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | | | | | - Lawson Ahadzie
- Disease Surveillance Department, Ghana Health Service, Accra, Ghana
| | - Stephan Ölschläger
- Department of Virology, Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Michaela Lelke
- Department of Virology, Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Beate Becker-Ziaja
- Department of Virology, Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Meike Pahlmann
- Department of Virology, Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stephan Günther
- Department of Virology, Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- * E-mail:
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