Occult hepatitis B and the detection of other HBV genes in HBs gene negative individuals in southwest Nigeria

Abstract

Considering the high tendency of hepatitis B virus (HBV) to mutate and escape diagnosis, and the high prevalence of its chronic infection in Nigeria, it is expedient to wholistically study the various genes to understand the changes and to prepare for such to enhance the diagnosis, management, and control of the disease. This study was designed to detect the four genes of HBV in different categories of participants. Venous blood samples were collected from sick and apparently healthy individuals and screened for HBsAg using the ELISA method. Out of the samples, 36 hBsAg positive and 9 randomly selected HBsAg negative were selected for HBV DNA extraction and PCR using established primers and protocols. The HBsAg prevalence was found to be 13.8% (51/369) with Oyo state having the highest (37.3%; <i>N</i> = 19/51) compared to other states. After amplification, HBs gene detection was 28.9%; (<i>n</i> = 13/45), HBc gene 33.3%; (<i>n</i> = 15/45), HB Pol gene 26.7%; (<i>n</i> = 12/45), and HBx gene 35.6%; (<i>n</i> = 16/45) and one OBI case (11.1%; <i>n</i> = 1/9). Considering the complications associated to HBV infections and the various changes being observed in the structure of the virus, more study is needed to enhance the diagnosis, manage- 230 ment, and control of hepatitis B.