Seroprevalence and genotypic characterization of HBV among low risk voluntary blood donors in Nairobi, Kenya.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes significant morbidity and mortality globally primarily due to its ability to cause hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The Kenya National Blood Transfusion Services screens for Hepatitis B antibodies using the chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay method. This test does not inform on the genotypic characteristics of the virus or the actual presence of the virus in blood. This study therefore sought to determine the serologic and genotypic profiles of HBV circulating among the voluntary blood donors in Nairobi.

Methods

Blood samples were collected in plain and EDTA vacutainers and tested for the Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). HBV DNA was then extracted from plasma, its overlapping P/S gene amplified and

SUBMITTER: Aluora PO 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7666503 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature