Hepatitis B genotype G and high frequency of lamivudine-resistance mutations among human immunodeficiency virus/hepatitis B virus co-infected patients in Brazil

Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz. 2010 Sep;105(6):770-8. doi: 10.1590/s0074-02762010000600007.

Abstract

In this study, we evaluated the hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype distribution and HBV genomic mutations among a group of human immunodeficiency virus-HBV co-infected patients from an AIDS outpatient clinic in São Paulo. HBV serological markers were detected by commercially available enzyme immunoassay kits. HBV DNA was detected using in-house nested polymerase chain reaction and quantified by Cobas Amplicor. HBV genotypes and mutations in the basal core promoter (BCP)/pre-core/core regions and surface/polymerase genes were determined by sequencing. Among the 59 patients included in this study, 55 reported prior use of lamivudine (LAM) or tenofovir. HBV DNA was detected in 16/22 patients, with a genotype distribution of A (n = 12,75%), G (n = 2,13%), D (n = 1,6%) and F (n = 1,6%). The sequence data of the two patients infected with genotype G strongly suggested co-infection with genotype A. In 10 patients with viremia, LAM-resistance mutations in the polymerase gene (rtL180M + rtM204V and rtV173L + rtL180M + rtM204V) were found, accompanied by changes in the envelope gene (sI195M, sW196L and sI195M/sE164D). Mutations in the BCP and pre-core regions were identified in four patients. In conclusion, genotype G, which is rarely seen in Brazil, was observed in the group of patients included in our study. A high prevalence of mutations associated with LAM-resistance and mutations associated with anti-HBs resistance were also found among these patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Brazil
  • DNA, Viral / analysis
  • Drug Resistance, Viral / genetics
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • Hepatitis B / complications
  • Hepatitis B / drug therapy
  • Hepatitis B / virology*
  • Hepatitis B virus / classification
  • Hepatitis B virus / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Lamivudine / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Mutation / genetics*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Viral Load

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • DNA, Viral
  • Lamivudine