RESUMO
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes from A to H have distinct geographical distributions and have been shown to affect the clinical features as well as the course of the HBV infection. HBV genotype E has been found only in Africa. However, the complete genomes of this genotype, which were isolated mainly from West Africa, were available only for a few samples. In this study, five full-length genomes and seven other small S genes of HBV strains from Ghanaian blood donors were sequenced and investigated. Following phylogenetic analysis, all of the Ghanaian HBV strains were clustered closely in genotype E. All of the 12 small S genes showed the same characteristic of subtype ayw4. The complete genomes of the five Ghanaian strains showed marked similarity with each other and with the reported genotype E strains (96.7%-99.1%). Genotype E strains showed low intra-genotypic diversity (1.8%) and carried the conserved signature pattern in pre-S1 as well as in the full genome sequence. Of note, the finding of the G145R escape mutant in an unvaccinated Ghanaian blood donor might raise concern as to the ongoing nation-wide hepatitis B vaccination program in Ghana.
Assuntos
Doadores de Sangue , Genoma Viral , Vírus da Hepatite B/genética , Hepatite B/virologia , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Genes Virais , Variação Genética , Gana , Humanos , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Mutação , Homologia de Sequência de Aminoácidos , Especificidade da Espécie , Proteínas do Envelope Viral/genéticaRESUMO
A cross-sectional study of 854 outpatients seen at three hospitals in the Eastern Region of Ghana, West Africa assessed HIV-1 and HIV-2 seroprevalence rates and associated risk factors. During mid-1999, patients were tested in an anonymous study linked to a questionnaire and abstracted record data in three distinct communities with differing levels of urbanization. Combined HIV seroprevalence rates were 19.2% for Agomanya, the most rural community, 5.1% for Akwatia, and 3.4% for Nkawkaw, the most urbanized community. HIV-1 infection alone accounted for 84.5% of cases, compared with 9.5% and 6.0% for HIV-2 and dual infection, respectively. In a multivariable model, the Agomanya location was significantly associated with HIV status (odds ratio [OR], 7.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.9-20.1; p <.0001). Employed people were also more likely to be infected (OR, 4.3; 95% CI, 1.02-18.3; p =.047). Among prenatal patients, those from Agomanya were more likely to report no live-in partner or spouse compared with Nkawkaw and Akwatia (p <.0001). These findings suggest sexual partner exchange patterns may be more useful in explaining HIV seroprevalence rates than level of community urbanization. Intervention programs directed at these high risk populations for HIV infection in Ghana are urgently needed.
Assuntos
Anticorpos Anti-HIV/sangue , Infecções por HIV/epidemiologia , Soroprevalência de HIV , HIV-1/imunologia , HIV-2/imunologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Gana/epidemiologia , Hospitais , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Pacientes Ambulatoriais , Fatores de Risco , Estudos SoroepidemiológicosRESUMO
Transfusion-transmissible infections among 808 blood donors in Ghana were investigated in 1999. Antibody seroprevalences of 3.8, 0.7, 8.4, and 13.5%, respectively, for human immunodeficiency virus, human T-cell lymphotrophic virus type 1, hepatitis C virus (HCV), and Treponema pallidum were obtained. The seroprevalence of HCV infection was confirmed to be 0.9% after supplementary testing, and the transfusion risk potential of these pathogens was demonstrated.