Hepatitis B virus genotypic patterns in Sudan reflects population movements

Abstract

Eman Yasin Salih, Walaa Saeed Eltahir Saeed, Maria Mohamed Hamad Satti, Gawahir Abbas, Isam Adam Suleiman, Eltahir Awad Gasim Khalil

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes have important impacts on the natural course of infection, prognosis and treatment outcomes. HBV genotypes A, D and E are predominant in various parts of Africa. Sudan occupies a central position in Africa with waves of migration from surrounding territories and continuous influx of different HBV genotypes. This study aimed to determine HBV genotypic patterns in Sudan as a reflection of population movements. In a prospective, cross-sectional, analytical study and following scientific and ethics approvals, five hundred and thirty five HBV-ELISA/PCR confirmed individuals were consented for participation. DNA was extracted using the guanidine technique. HBV strains were genotyped using type-specific primers in a nested and multiplex PCR technique. Five hundred sera were reactive in ELISA tests and had HBV DNA traces. Thirty five individuals were ELISA HBs Ag non-reactive, but showed HBV DNA traces [Occult hepatitis]. Samples were typed as: genotype A [85%], genotype A+E [10%], genotype D [3%] while recombination of A, D and E was seen in 2%. In conclusion, HBV genotypes in Sudan are a mixture of genotypes A, D and E separately or in recombination reflecting previous and ongoing migration waves from surrounding territories. Sequencing studies are needed for further HBV genotypes confirmation.