Circulation of HDV Genotypes in Brazil: Identification of a Putative Novel HDV-8 Subgenotype.

Hepatitis D virus (HDV) is classified into 8 genotypes (1 to 8) and several subgenotypes. In Brazil, HDV-3 and HDV-1 predominate; however, most of the diagnosis efforts and molecular studies are directed to the area of endemicity of the Amazon Basin. Here, we determined the molecular epidemiological profile of circulating HDV in Brazilian HBsAg-positive patients between 2013 and 2015 in areas of endemicity and non-areas of endemicity.

Hepatitis B virus genotypes prevalence in patients from hepatology services in Ceará, Brazil.

Introduction: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a public health problem; therefore, we aimed to report HBV genotypes in Ceará, Brazil.

Methods: A total of 103 HBsAg-positive samples were subjected to HBV genotyping and subgenotyping.

Results: The following genetic compositions of samples were found: F-54% (F2-83.

A New Method for Next-Generation Sequencing of the Full Hepatitis B Virus Genome from A Clinical Specimen: Impact for Virus Genotyping.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is an enveloped virus that induces chronic liver disease. HBV has been classified into eight genotypes (A-H) according to its genome sequence by using Sanger sequencing or reverse hybridization. Sanger sequencing is often restricted to analyzing the S gene and is inaccurate for detecting minority genetic variants, whereas reverse hybridization detects only known mutations.

Resistance Mutations A30K and Y93N Associated with Treatment Failure with Sofosbuvir and Daclatasvir for Hepatitis C Virus Infection Non-Responder Patients: Case Reports.

In Brazil, hepatitis C treatment has been evolving significantly with the licensing of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). However, viral determinants (amino acid substitutions in hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome and infective genotype) associated with host factors (hepatic condition and prior HCV therapy) might limit the achievement of sustained virologic response (SVR). Here, we described two case reports in which the occurrence of HCV NS5A mutations A30K (subtype 3a) and Y93N (subtype 1a) might have influenced daclatasvir (DCV)/sofosbuvir (SOF) combined therapy non-response.

Effects of the Q80K Polymorphism on the Physicochemical Properties of Hepatitis C Virus Subtype 1a NS3 Protease.

Hepatitis C virus genotype 1a (HCV-1a) comprises clades I and II. The Q80K polymorphism is found predominantly in clade I but rarely in clade II. Here, we investigated whether natural polymorphisms in HCV-1a clade II entailed structural protein changes when occurrence of the Q80K variant was simulated.

Utility of oral fluid samples for hepatitis B antibody detection in real life conditions.

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) testing in oral fluid samples may provide advantages in diagnosis, screening or prevalence studies, especially among individuals with venous access difficulties. This study aims to optimize one commercially available assay for detecting total anti-HBc marker in oral fluid samples and to evaluate its utility under real life conditions in different settings for the purposes of prevalence and diagnostic studies.

Methods: Oral fluid was collected using a Salivette device and some parameters were initially evaluated: type of elution buffer and sample volume.

Prevalence of baseline NS3 resistance-associated substitutions (RASs) on treatment with protease inhibitors in patients infected with HCV genotype 1.

Background And Aims: Treatment for hepatitis C has evolved significantly with the licensing of direct-acting antiviral drugs (DAAs). However, one of the limiting factors of the effectiveness of antiviral therapy with protease inhibitors (PIs) is the emergence of resistance caused by point mutations. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of resistance-associated substitutions (RASs) in HCV NS3 gene in patients infected with genotype 1 before therapy with simeprevir.

Determination of hepatitis B, C and D prevalence among urban and Amerindian populations from the Eastern Brazilian Amazon: a cross sectional study.

Background: This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of HBV, HCV, and HDV in urban populations and Amerindians living in the state of Tocantins (Eastern Amazon).

Methods: A total of 948 individuals were recruited in Tocantinopolis city (Tocantins state) of whom 603 were Amerindians (from 6 tribes) and 345 were non-Amerindians (6 urban areas of Tocantinópolis city). Anti-HCV, HBsAg, anti-HBc, anti-HBs, anti-HBc IgM, anti-HBe, HBeAg, and anti-delta antibodies were determined using enzyme immunoassay.

Assessing hepatitis B immunity using dried blood spot samples from HIV+ individuals.

This study aims to evaluate the utility of an optimized enzyme immunoassay (EIA) to detect and quantify antibodies against hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) in dried blood spots (DBSs) within the context of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status. Serum and DBS samples were obtained from 56 HIV+ and 99 HIV- patients and subjected to EIA for the detection of anti-HBs, where sample volume and cut off value were modified for DBS testing. Sensitivities of anti-HBs detection in DBS were 79.

Comparison of the performance of enzyme immunoassays for hepatitis B and C detection in dried blood spot.

Dried blood spots (DBSs) could be an alternative to serum for hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) diagnosis. This study aims to evaluate two enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) for HBsAg and anti-HCV detection using DBS. Serum was tested using commercial EIA.

Performance of point of care assays for hepatitis B and C viruses in chronic kidney disease patients.

Aims: Point of care testing (POCT) has been used for hepatitis B and C diagnosis in general population, but little is known about the influence of clinical conditions in the accuracy of these assays. This study aims to evaluate the performance of POCTs for detection of hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibodies to Hepatitis C Virus (anti-HCV) in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients.

Methods: A total of 286 subjects were included in this study.

Hepatitis D infection in Brazil: Prevalence and geographical distribution of anti-Delta antibody.

In Brazil, the Amazon Basin is endemic for hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection; however, studies in other regions of the country are scarce. This study aims to map the seroepidemiological situation of anti-Delta antibodies in chronic hepatitis B carriers in all five Brazilian geographic regions. Serum samples from 1240 HBsAg positive individuals (55.

Usefulness of in-house real time PCR for HBV DNA quantification in serum and oral fluid samples.

For quantification of hepatitis B virus DNA (HBV DNA), commercial assays are used with serum or plasma samples, but oral fluid samples could be an alternative for HBV diagnosis due to ease of collection. This study aims to develop in-house real time PCR using synthetic curve for HBV DNA quantification for serum and oral fluid samples. Samples were collected from 103 individuals (55 HBsAg reactive and HBV DNA reactive by commercial assay and 48 without HBV markers) and submitted to two in-house real time PCR assays for HBV pre-S/S region with different standard curves: qPCR plasmidial and qPCR synthetic.

Impact of vitamin D receptor and binding protein gene polymorphisms in clinical and laboratory data of HCV patients: Cross sectional study.

Potential relationship of vitamin D, vitamin D receptor (VDR), and vitamin D binding protein (DBP) have been suggested in the pathophysiology of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The aim of this observational study is to determine vitamin D levels, and VDR and DBP genetic polymorphism according demographic and laboratory data in chronic HCV patients (CHC).A total of 148 CHC patients gave serum samples for testing 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25 (OH)D) level by immunochemiluminometric assay (<20 ng/mL defined as deficient) and donated blood samples to allelic discrimination analysis using TaqMan assays.

Epidemiological investigation and analysis of the NS5B gene and protein variability of non-primate hepacivirus in several horse cohorts in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil.

Among the hepacivirus species recently described, the non-primate hepacivirus/hepacivirus A found in horses and donkeys is closely related to the human hepatitis C virus (HCV). Therefore, the equine is an attractive surrogate large animal model for the study of HCV therapy, pathogenesis and prophylaxis. Despite global efforts, epidemiological and genetic studies have not elucidated the risk factors, virus distribution or genetic variability of the hepacivirus A, which are also important issues for the equine welfare.

Detection of occult hepatitis B in serum and oral fluid samples.

In occult hepatitis B infection (OBI), hepatitis B virus DNA (HBV DNA) can be detected in serum samples; however, oral fluid collection for detection of HBV DNA has not yet been explored, despite the availability of collection devices. Serum and oral fluid samples from 45 hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc)-positive patients were collected for the amplification of the HBV polymerase gene. HBV DNA was detected in five serum and four oral fluid samples (the detection limit for oral fluid was 1.

Francisella noatunensis subspecies noatunensis clpB deletion mutant impairs development of francisellosis in a zebrafish model.

Background: Francisella noatunensis ssp. noatunensis (F.n.

Prevalence of Hepatitis B and C virus infection among alcoholic individuals: importance of screening and vaccination.

Drug users have been reported to have an increased risk for acquisition of viral hepatitis. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of HBV and HCV infection and usefulness of saliva for HBsAg and anti-HCV detection in alcoholic patients.A total of 90 alcoholic patients were recruited in 2013.

Performance of rapid diagnostic tests for detection of Hepatitis B and C markers in HIV infected patients.

There is little information describing the influence of HIV infection upon the performance of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for hepatitis B and C virus diagnosis. This study aims to evaluate the performance of RDTs for HBsAg and anti-HCV detection among HIV-infected individuals. A total of 362 HIV infected individuals were recruited from clinics between January 2013 to November 2014 in the southeast and northeast of Brazil.

Lack of Association between Hepatitis C Virus core Gene Variation 70/91aa and Insulin Resistance.

The role of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in insulin resistance (IR) is not fully understood. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of amino acid (aa) substitutions in the region of HCV according to IR and to identify clinical and laboratory associations. Ninety-two treatment-naive HCV patients were recruited to determine laboratory data and blood cell count.