PARV4 prevalence, phylogeny, immunology and coinfection with HIV, HBV and HCV in a multicentre African cohort

Abstract

Background: The seroprevalence of human parvovirus-4 (PARV4) varies considerably by region. In sub-Saharan Africa, seroprevalence is high in the general population, but little is known about the transmission routes or the prevalence of coinfection with blood-borne viruses, HBV, HCV and HIV. Methods: To further explore the characteristics of PARV4 in this setting, with a particular focus on the prevalence and significance of coinfection, we screened a cohort of 695 individuals recruited from Durban and Kimberley (South Africa) and Gaborone (Botswana) for PARV4 IgG and DNA, as well as documenting HIV, HBV and HCV status. Results: Within these cohorts, 69% of subjects were HIV-positive. We identified no cases of HCV by PCR, but 7.4% were positive for HBsAg. PARV4 IgG was positive in 42%; seroprevalence was higher in adults (69%) compared to children (21%) (p<0.0001) and in HIV-positive (52%) compared to HIV-negative individuals (24%) (p<0.0001), but there was no association with HBsAg status. We developed an on-line tool to allow visualization of coinfection data (https://purl.oclc.org/coinfection-viz). We identified five subjects who were PCR-positive for PARV4 genotype-3. Ex vivo CD8+ T cell responses spanned the entire PARV4 proteome and we propose a novel HLA-B*57:03-restricted epitope within the NS protein. Conclusions: This characterisation of PARV4 infection provides enhanced insights into the epidemiology of infection and co-infection in African cohorts, and provides the foundations for planning further focused studies to elucidate transmission pathways, immune responses, and the clinical significance of this organism.

HBV vaccination and PMTCT as elimination tools in the presence of HIV: insights from a clinical cohort and dynamic model

“…A previous study of HBV serology in adults in the same setting found HBsAg prevalence of 9.5% (55/579) (4). Children were recruited as part of the C o-infection in S outh- A frican C hildren (‘COSAC’) study as previously described (19,20). The lower age limit of recruitment was 6 months in order to limit the detection of maternal anti-HBs.…”

“…Children were recruited as follows: HIV-negative children age 6-60 months (n=174), recruited through the Kimberley Respiratory Cohort (KReC) as previously described (19). These children were admitted to hospital between July 2014 and August 2016 with a clinical diagnosis of respiratory tract infection.…”

“…KReC children were confirmed HIV-negative in 163 cases (93.7%). A further 11 children did not have an HIV test result recorded, but were assumed to be HIV-negative based on the clinical data recorded at the time of admission to hospital. HIV-positive children were recruited primarily from HIV out-patient clinics between September 2009 and July 2016 as previously described (19,20). We recorded date of commencement of anti-retroviral therapy (ART), CD4+ T cell count and percentage, and HIV RNA viral load using the time point closest to the sample that was analysed for HBV serology.…”

“…HIV-positive children were recruited primarily from HIV out-patient clinics between September 2009 and July 2016 as previously described (19,20). We recorded date of commencement of anti-retroviral therapy (ART), CD4+ T cell count and percentage, and HIV RNA viral load using the time point closest to the sample that was analysed for HBV serology.…”

Bocaparvovirus, Erythroparvovirus and Tetraparvovirus in New World Monkeys from Central America

“…The risk increases in males, due to more interaction with other individuals from their troop and other troops, and higher levels of dispersal than females (Kitchen et al, 2004; Rose, 1994). Attempts at species management can also influence pathogen presence by influencing levels of stress, immunosuppression, interaction with other host species, changes in social habits, and clustering of individuals (Sharp et al, 2017). Although there are no direct comparative studies between free-range and captive OWP, high prevalences to PARV4 and HBoV have been reported in OWP maintained in captivity (Kapoor et al, 2010; Sharp et al, 2010).…”