Hepatitis B virus prevalence among HIV-uninfected people living in rural and peri-urban areas in Botswana

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Authors

Anderson, Motswedi
Mangogola, Thabo
Phinius, Bonolo B.
Mpebe, Gorata
Aimakhu, Christopher O.
Choga, Wonderful T.
Phakedi, Basetsana
Bhebhe, Lynnette N.
Ditshwanelo, Doreen
Baruti, Kabo

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

MDPI

Abstract

BACKGROUND : we determined the prevalence of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) amongst people without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in rural and peri-urban areas in Botswana. METHODS : We screened for the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) from archived plasma samples of people without HIV (n = 2135) randomly selected from the Botswana Combination Prevention Program (BCPP) (2013–2018). We sequenced 415 bp of the surface region using BigDye sequencing chemistry. RESULTS : The median age of participants was 31 (IQR: 24–46) and 64% (1360/2135) were female. HBV prevalence was 4.0% (86/2135) [95% CI: 3.3–4.9]) and ranged between 0–9.2%. Older participants (>35 years) had increased odds of HBV positivity (OR: 1.94; 95% CI: [1.32–2.86]; p = 0.001). Thirteen samples were sequenced and seven (53.8%) were genotype A, three (23.1%) were genotype D and genotype E each. Clinically significant mutations were identified in the surface region, but no classic drug resistance mutations were identified. CONCLUSIONS : We report an HBV prevalence of 4.0% (95% CI 3.3–4.9) among people without HIV in rural and peri-urban communities in Botswana with varying rates in different communities. A comprehensive national HBV program is required in Botswana to guide HBV prevention, testing and management.

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DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT : The raw data supporting the conclusions of this article will be made available by the authors on request.

Keywords

Prevalence, Genotypes, Mutations, HIV negative, Africa, Hepatitis B virus (HBV), Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), SDG-03: Good health and well-being, Rural area, Peri-urban area, Botswana

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG-03:Good heatlh and well-being

Citation

Anderson, M.; Mangogola, T.; Phinius, B.B.; Mpebe, G.; Aimakhu, C.O.; Choga,W.T.; Phakedi, B.; Bhebhe, L.N.; Ditshwanelo, D.; Baruti, K.; et al. Hepatitis B Virus Prevalence among HIV-Uninfected People Living in Rural and Peri-Urban Areas in Botswana. Microorganisms 2024, 12, 1207. https://DOI.org/10.3390/microorganisms12061207.