Characterization of Occult Hepatitis B Infection Among Injecting Drug Users in Tehran, Iran.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major health problem worldwide.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of occult hepatitis B infection (OBI) and its associated risk factors, together with the molecular characterization of the virus in injecting drug users of Tehran.

Patients and methods

The study consisted of 229 injecting drug users. Serum samples were collected and tested for the presence of hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb) and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). HBV B virus DNA was extracted from the serum samples, and a fragment of the S gene was amplified using the nested polymerase chain reaction. The genotype, subgenotypes, subtype, and S gene mutation of HBV were det

SUBMITTER: Asli M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4875578 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature