Detection of Immune Escape and Basal Core Promoter/Precore Gene Mutations in Hepatitis B Virus Isolated from Asymptomatic Hospital Attendees in Two Southwestern States in Nigeria.

Several mutations in the surface (S), basal core promoter (BCP), and precore (PC) genes of the hepatitis B virus have been linked to inaccurate diagnosis and the development of immune escape mutants (IEMs) of the infection, which can lead to chronic infection. Understanding the prevalence and spread of these mutations is critical in the global effort to eliminate HBV. Blood samples were collected from 410 people in Osun and Ekiti states, southwest Nigeria, between 2019 and 2021.

Seroprevalence, co-infection and risk of transmission of Hepatitis B and D virus among hospital attendees in two South-western states in Nigeria.

Infection with both Hepatitis B (HBV) and D (HDV) virus causes more severe liver damage than HBV alone. Superinfections among chronic HBV infected cohorts often lead to HDV persistence with rapid progression to cirrhosis, necessitating continuous surveillance to determine their prevalence and relative contribution to liver pathology. A cross-sectional study among hospital outpatients in Ekiti and Osunstates was conducted using random sampling technique.