New natural variants of hepatitis B virus among Amerindians from Argentina with mainly occult infections.

CECILIA DELFINO; MARÍA EIRIN; CAROLINA BERINI; RICHARD MALAN; WILLIAM PEDROZO; RAMÓN KRUPP; JORGELINA BLEJER; HORACIO SALAMONE; ROGELIO ESPEJO;; LEOPOLDO FIERRO; ALBERTO PUCCA; JOSÉ OUBIÑA; VERÓNICA MATHET ; MIRNA BIGLIONE

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL VIROLOGY : THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE PAN AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR CLINICAL VIROLOGY.

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2012 vol. 54 p. 174 - 179

1386-6532

Background: HBV infection is frequent among Amerindians. Objective: To determine theHBV infection is frequent among Amerindians. Objective: To determine the 3 prevalence, genetic diversity of HBV and to analyze the amino acidic sequence of HBsAgprevalence, genetic diversity of HBV and to analyze the amino acidic sequence of HBsAg 4 (S) and viral polymerase (P) among Amerindians of Argentina. Study design: A cross5(S) and viral polymerase (P) among Amerindians of Argentina. Study design: A cross5 sectional study was conducted from 2007 to 2008 including 561 Amerindians belonging to 6 distinct ethnic groups, the Mbyá-guaraní (MG), the Kolla (K), the Sagua-Huarpe (SH) anddistinct ethnic groups, the Mbyá-guaraní (MG), the Kolla (K), the Sagua-Huarpe (SH) and 7 the Wichi (W). Results: The prevalence of HBsAg was 1.7% and 1.4% for the MG and SH,the Wichi (W). Results: The prevalence of HBsAg was 1.7% and 1.4% for the MG and SH, 8 respectively; while anti-HBc was found in all the communities. HBV DNA of S andrespectively; while anti-HBc was found in all the communities. HBV DNA of S and 9 preCore-Core (pC/C) genomic regions was amplified by nPCR in 59 reactive samples forpreCore-Core (pC/C) genomic regions was amplified by nPCR in 59 reactive samples for 10 anti-HBc and/or HBsAg (46 belonging to MG, 6 K, 4 W and 3 SH). Thirteen samples wereanti-HBc and/or HBsAg (46 belonging to MG, 6 K, 4 W and 3 SH). Thirteen samples were 11 positive for nPCR presenting 11 of them an occult hepatitis B infection. Genotype F waspositive for nPCR presenting 11 of them an occult hepatitis B infection. Genotype F was 12 predominant in the MG community with co-circulation of subgenotypes F4, F1b, A2 andpredominant in the MG community with co-circulation of subgenotypes F4, F1b, A2 and 13 D3. Subgenotype C2 was detected among the SH community. All cases exhibited theD3. Subgenotype C2 was detected among the SH community. All cases exhibited the 14 polymorphism rtL217R within the RT domain associated to resistance to adefovir. Twopolymorphism rtL217R within the RT domain associated to resistance to adefovir. Two 15 MG presented the substitution rtD206E and 3 SH rtV207I, both associated to resistance toMG presented the substitution rtD206E and 3 SH rtV207I, both associated to resistance to 16 lamivudine. Moreover, in the P sequence of F and C genotypes, other new substitutionslamivudine. Moreover, in the P sequence of F and C genotypes, other new substitutions 17 were described. Conclusions: This study shows for the first time the presence of occultwere described. Conclusions: This study shows for the first time the presence of occult 18 hepatitis infection with different HBV subgenotypes and natural variants potentiallyhepatitis infection with different HBV subgenotypes and natural variants potentially 19 resistant to antivirals, circulating in aborigines of Argentina.resistant to antivirals, circulating in aborigines of Argentina.