Purpose: The frequency of detection of HBV co-infection with multiple HBV genotypes is influenced by the detection method; usually co-infections are detected by multiplex PCR or hybridization assays, and are rarely confirmed by sequencing and conventional cloning. The objective of this study was to confirm by ultra-deep pyrosequencing (UDPS) mixed HBV infections, previously detected by multiplex-nested PCR.
Methods: Sixteen samples from HBV co-infected Sudanese patients detected by multiplex-nested PCR, were amplified targeting the P/S region and sequenced by UDPS.
Results: The only genotypes identified using UDPS were D and E, while A, B, C and F genotypes, previously detected by multiplex-nested PCR, were not detected. Specifically, 10 samples were shown to be mono-infected (D or E); in 3 out of 10 mono-infected D patients, a subtype combination was observed: D1 + D7 in 2 cases and D2 + D6 in 1 case. The remaining 6 subjects were D + E co-infected (harboring different mixtures of D subtypes).
Conclusions: Overall, UDPS is more effective than multiplex-nested PCR for identifying multiple HBV genotypes and subtypes infections.
Keywords: Co-infection; Hepatitis B virus; High-throughput nucleotide sequencing; Sudan.