Molecular epidemiology of hepatitis D virus circulating in Southwestern Nigeria.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis D virus (HDV) infections are major public health problems in sub-Saharan Africa. Whereas it is known that HBV infection is endemic in Nigeria, there is only little data about HDV prevalence available. Here, we assessed the HDV seroprevalence and determined the HDV and HBV genotypes distribution among HBsAg positive individuals in Southwestern Nigeria.

Methods

This cross-sectional study involved 188 serum samples from HBsAg positive outpatients recruited at four tertiary hospitals in Southwestern Nigeria. Anti-HDV antibodies were detected by ELISA while HDV-RNA was detected by RT-PCR. Sequencing followed by phylogenetic analyses and HBV genotype-specific PCR were used to characterize HDV and HBV genotypes, respectively.

Resu

SUBMITTER: Opaleye OO 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4820959 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature