First identification of occult hepatitis B infection among ethnic minority students in Thai Nguyen, Vietnam.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains a major health concern particularly in regions with intermediate-to-high endemicity such as Vietnam. Occult hepatitis B infection (OBI) defined as the presence of replication-competent HBV DNA in the absence of detectable hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) poses challenges for diagnosis and blood safety. However, data on OBI among Vietnam's ethnic minority populations are scarce.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 267 HBsAg-negative ethnic minority students at Thai Nguyen University of Medicine and Pharmacy in 2024. Serum samples were screened for HBV serological markers (anti-HBs, anti-HBc) using commercial ELISAs. HBV DNA was extracted, amplified by nested PCR targeting a conserved S/P region, and sequenced for g

SUBMITTER: Ha VN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12836949 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature