Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Among HIV-infected Children and Adolescents Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy in the TREAT Asia Pediatric HIV Observational Database

Prevalence and molecular characterization of hepatitis B virus infection in HIV-infected children in Senegal

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is the region with the most patients co-infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the hepatitis B virus (HBV) worldwide. However, few studies have focused on SSA children who are at a higher risk of developing a chronic infection than adults. Furthermore, children on first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) including low genetic barrier drugs may develop both HBV and HIV resistance mutations. The aim of this work was to document HIV-HBV co-infection and to characterize the HBV isolates in children in Senegal.

METHODS

This is a retrospective study of 613 children infected with HIV on ART or not. Dried blood spot (DBS) specimens were used to detect hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) with a rapid diagnostic test (RDT). Confirmation of HBsAg status and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) detection was performed on an automated platform using the chemiluminescence assay technology. HBV viral DNA was quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the preS1/preS2/HBsAg region was genotyped by nested PCR followed by sequencing using the Sanger technique.

RESULTS

The prevalence of HIV-HBV co-infection was 4.1% (25/613). The median age of co-infected children was 13 years (2 years-16 years) and 40% (10/25) were girls. Almost all 19/20 (95%) were infected with HIV-1 and 79% (19/24) were treated with 3TC-based triple combination ART. The median duration of time on ART was 15 months (3 months-80 months). More than half of the children 53% (9/17) were experiencing HIV virologic failure and 75% (6/8) had at least one HIV-related resistance-associated mutation (RAM). Of the six children with resistance, none of the three administered treatments were effective on HIV. Of the 25 co-infected children, 82% (18/22) were HBeAg-positive, while the median HBV viral load (VL) was 6.20 log₁₀ IU/mL (24/25 patients), and 62,5% (10/16) of the children had a persistent HBV viremia. Combination of ART was the only factor associated with HBV viremia persistence. Amplification was successful in 15 out of 16 patients (rate of 94%), and the ensuing phylogenetic analysis revealed that eight strains (53%) belonged to genotype A and seven (47%) to genotype E. HBV-related 3TC RAMs were uncovered in 20% of these patients (3/15). HBsAg escape mutations were found in 20% of the children (3/15).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results showed a high level of drug resistance mutations to both HIV and HBV, a significant level of HBsAg escape mutations, HBV DNA persistence and HIV virologic failure in co-infected children in Senegal. The HBV genotypes found were A and E.

Seroprevalence and factors associated with hepatitis B virus infection among the hill tribe youths, northern Thailand

Background

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major viral infection, particularly in people living in the Western Pacific region, including the hill tribe people living in northern Thailand. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of HBV infection and to detect the factors associated with HBV infection among hill tribe youths in Thailand.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate the prevalence and determine the factors associated with HBV infection among hill tribe youths living in northern Thailand. A validated questionnaire and 5 mL blood sample were used for data collection. The Wondfo Diagnostic Kit®, the Wondfo One Step HBsAg Serum/Plasma Test®, and the Wondfo One Step HBsAg Serum/Plasma Test® were used for anti-HBsAg, HBsAg, and total anti-HBc detections, respectively. Logistic regression was used to detect associations between variables with an α = 0.05 significance level.

Results

A total of 836 participants were included in the study; 62.7% were female, 58.9% were aged 15–17 years, 58.7% were Buddhist, 78.4% graduated high school, and 89.1% had no income. The majority were Akha (30.0%), Yao (16.3%), and Hmong (15.8%); 13.2% smoked, 21.5% used alcohol, 13.3% had tattoos, 3.9% experienced drug injection from illegal practitioners, and 35.7% had no history of HBV immunization. The prevalence of HBsAg was 3.0%; anti-HBs, 10.2%; and total anti-HBc, 8.1%. In the multivariate analysis, four variables were found to be significantly associated with HBV infection among the hill tribe youths: age, tribe, work experience, and number of partners. Those aged 18–20 years and 21–24 years had 2.13 times (95%CI = 1.35–3.29) and 2.39 times (95%CI = 1.05–3.90) greater odds of HBV infection, respectively, than those aged 15–17 years. Akha, Lahu, and Hmong youths had 3.12 times (95%CI = 1.07–9.12), 3.71 times (95%CI = 1.21–11.41), and 3.84 times (95%CI = 1.26–11.69) greater odds of HBV infection, respectively, than Lisu youths. Those who had experience working outside of the village had a 1.77 times (95%CI = 1.18–2.98) greater chance of HBV infection than those who did not have experience working outside of the village, and those who had ≥2 partners had a 2.66 times (95%CI = 1.96–3.87) greater chance of HBV infection than those who had no partner.

Conclusions

Effective HBV prevention programs should be promoted in Akha, Lahu, and Hmong youth populations, particularly to those who have sexual partners, work outside of the village and are aged 18–24 years.