Genetic Insights into Hepatitis B Virus S Gene Mutations, Genotypes and Subtypes in Hbv-Hiv Co-Infected Viz a Viz Hbv Mono-Infected Patients: An Observational Study from North India

Abstract

Introduction: Understanding the mutation rate and genetic variability of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is essential for effective treatment and successful vaccination against HBV. This study aimed to identify the HBV genotype and subtype, as well as various mutations in the HBV S gene among HBV-HIV coinfected and HBV mono-infected patients in North India.Material and methods: 100 HIV-HBV co-infected and 50 HBV mono-infected patients were included in this study after taking informed consent. DNA was extracted, viral load detection was done using RTPCR. Conventionally, 685bp and 400 bp region of surface gene was amplified by nested PCR, sequenced and genotyped by sequence analysis. The same sequences were also used for subtypes and mutational analyses.Results: Among 100 HIV/HBV co-infected and 50 HBV mono-infected cases, HBeAg positivity was 17% and 10%, respectively. Genotype D (89.7%) was predominant, with D1 and D3 equally distributed in co-infected cases, while genotype A (10.2%) was found in 15.7% of co-infected and 5% of mono-infected cases. Serotype Ayw2 was identified in all samples. Mutations in the ‘a’ determinant region were present in 36.8% of co-infected cases, including two nonsynonymous mutations, while no such mutations were found in mono-infected cases.Conclusion: The HIV/HBV co-infection rate was 7.1% among ART-enrolled HIV patients. Genotype D was most prevalent, followed by genotype A, with serotype Ayw2 in all cases. These findings highlight the need for enhanced HBV surveillance in co-infected individuals to guide targeted disease management.

Note:
Funding declaration: The study is part of a project funded by Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi. (Project ID: HIV/50/207/09/2020 ECD-11/ICMR).

Conflict of Interests: No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Ethical Approval: The study was approved by Institutional Ethics Committee, Faculty of Medicine, AMU, Aligarh with reference number IEC/ JNMC/224 dated 14.12.2020.

Keywords: HBV-HIV, S Gene Mutations, Subtypes, Ayw2