Phylogenetic analysis and genotype distribution of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) in Roraima, Brazil

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a serious global health problem. HBV has a high viral genetic diversity, with 10 genotypes recognized. In Brazil, the Roraima State is the third in the Northern region regarding the number of hepatitis B cases. On the other hand, few data on HBV genotyping and phylogenetic analysis are available. The purpose of this study is to characterize the HBV genotypes circulating in Roraima State. Of the 113 chronic hepatitis B patients enrolled in this study, 40 were HBV-DNA positive. A fragment of 280 bp (S gene) was amplified by PCR and submitted to nucleotide sequencing. A dataset containing the viral sequences obtained in this study, plus 130 obtained from GenBank was used for genotyping by phylogenetic analysis. The HBV subgenotype distribution found was A1 (62.5%), A2 (7.5%), D2, D3, D4 (2.5%), F2a (12.5%), and F3 (10%). We characterized the genotypes and subgenotypes of HBV circulating among patients in the State of Roraima. In addition, our study shows for the first time the HBV/F3 genotype circulating in Brazil. In conclusion, our findings showed a high diversity of HBV genotypes in Roraima, which is also found in other Brazilian geographical regions.

Genetic Diversity of the Hepatitis B Virus Subgenotypes in Brazil

“…Here, HBV/D4 was detected in 21.2% of HBV/D samples, all of them from North and Northeast Brazil. This finding is in agreement with previous studies conducted in rural populations of the same Brazilian regions, where HBV/D4 have been found in a variable frequency, from 2.5 to 24% [29,46,47]. The relatedness of the Brazilian strains thus suggests single/few introductions of HBV/D4 in North/Northeast Brazil.…”

Detection and Genetic Characterization of Hepatitis B and D Viruses: A Multi-Site Cross-Sectional Study of People Who Use Illicit Drugs in the Amazon Region

“…A1, D3, and D4 had the highest frequencies, and a diversity of other subgenotypes recorded in Brazil and in other South American and Central American countries were detected in PWUDs. The high frequency of the A1 subgenotype is consistent with epidemiological studies conducted in Brazil [ 41 , 42 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 ]. Subgenotypes D4, D3, and D2 were identified in PWUDs and have already been detected in people from Brazilian states in the Amazon region, such as Amazonas (D3 and D4), Rondônia, and Roraima (D2, D3, D4), but with different frequencies [ 29 , 69 , 70 ].…”

“…The high frequency of the A1 subgenotype is consistent with epidemiological studies conducted in Brazil [ 41 , 42 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 ]. Subgenotypes D4, D3, and D2 were identified in PWUDs and have already been detected in people from Brazilian states in the Amazon region, such as Amazonas (D3 and D4), Rondônia, and Roraima (D2, D3, D4), but with different frequencies [ 29 , 69 , 70 ]. F1a and F2b were detected in Central America (Costa Rica and El Salvador) and Venezuela, respectively [ 71 , 72 ].…”

“…Subgenotype F2a has been restricted to Venezuela and Brazil, with high frequency in the Brazilian Amazon [ 71 , 72 , 74 ]. F3 is commonly found in Panama, Colombia, and Venezuela, being detected for the first time in the Brazilian Amazon in people who lived in the state of Roraima [ 69 , 71 ]. The risk behaviors of PWUDs allow them to acquire and transmit a variety of HBV subgenotypes circulating in the Amazon region, both in Brazilian states and in other American countries, such as Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela, as shown in the first report on HBV subgenotypes F1a and F2b in Brazil.…”

Traveler’s Infections: Overview of Hepatitis B Virus Infection

“…Hepatitis B virus until now has been reported to have 10 genotypes (A-J) with identified peculiar distribution based on regions to its high degree of genetic heterogeneity [5,[60][61][62]. HBV genotyping is significant in diverse ways.…”