Occult hepatitis B infection among individuals belonging to the aboriginal Nicobarese tribe of India

Haimanti Bhattacharya; Debdutta Bhattacharya; Subarna Roy; Attayur Purushothaman Sugunan

doi:10.3855/jidc.4350

Occult hepatitis B infection among individuals belonging to the aboriginal Nicobarese tribe of India

Authors

Haimanti Bhattacharya Regional Medical Research Centre (Indian Council of Medical Research), Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India
Debdutta Bhattacharya Regional Medical Research Centre (Indian Council of Medical Research), Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India
Subarna Roy Regional Medical Research Centre (Indian Council of Medical Research), Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India
Attayur Purushothaman Sugunan Regional Medical Research Centre (Indian Council of Medical Research), Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.4350

Keywords:

HBV, occult, Nicobarese, primitive, HCC, cirrhosis

Abstract

Introduction: The long-lasting persistence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genomes in the liver (with or without detectable HBV DNA) of individuals with negative for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) is termed occult HBV infection (OBI). The present study is a part of the follow up on efficacy of vaccination, 10 years post inception, and was designed to understand the prevalence of Occult Hepatitis B infection (OBI) among the aboriginal Nicobarese tribal community.

Methodology: A total of 612 serum samples were collected and tested for various markers including HBsAg, Anti-HBs, Anti-HBc and HBV DNA. Part of S gene of the extracted HBV DNA was amplified by nested PCR. The amplified products were then subjected to sequencing. Genotyping was performed on the basis of phylogenetic relationship along with representative reference sequences from different sub genotypes.

Results: The study revealed OBI in 11.1% of the people belonging to the Nicobarese tribe. Phylogenetic analysis showed only one genotype, HBV/D circulating among the Nicobarese population with ayw3 was the major serotype detected. Single or multiple amino acids substitutions were found in 5 of 34 samples (14.7%) which includes I110T, P120T, P/T127I, A128P, M133L and G159V.

Conclusions: The detection of OBI among these aboriginal tribes is of great concern and stresses the need for the continuous surveillance as it may contribute to the progression of liver disease to a more advanced stage.

Author Biography

Attayur Purushothaman Sugunan, Regional Medical Research Centre (Indian Council of Medical Research), Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India

SCIENTIST-E/DEPUTY DIRECTOR

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Published

2014-12-15

How to Cite

Bhattacharya H, Bhattacharya D, Roy S, Sugunan AP (2014) Occult hepatitis B infection among individuals belonging to the aboriginal Nicobarese tribe of India. J Infect Dev Ctries 8:1630–1635. doi: 10.3855/jidc.4350

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Issue

Vol. 8 No. 12: December 2014

Section

Brief Original Articles

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