Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2025 Jan 20;14(1):101.
doi: 10.3390/pathogens14010101.

Molecular Epidemiology, Drug-Resistant Variants, and Therapeutic Implications of Hepatitis B Virus and Hepatitis D Virus Prevalence in Nigeria: A National Study

Oludare 'Sunbo Adewuyi  1   2   3 , Muhammad Shakir Balogun  4   5 , Hirono Otomaru  2 , Alash'le Abimiku  6 , Anthony Agbakizu Ahumibe  1   3 , Elsie Ilori  3 , Que Anh Luong  2 , Nwando Mba  3 , James Christopher Avong  3 , John Olaide  2 , Oyeladun Okunromade  3 , Adama Ahmad  3 , Afolabi Akinpelu  3 , Chinwe Lucia Ochu  3 , Babatunde Olajumoke  3 , Haruka Abe  7 , Chikwe Ihekweazu  3   8 , Adetifa Ifedayo  3   9 , Michiko Toizumi  2   10 , Hiroyuki Moriuchi  1   10   11 , Katsunori Yanagihara  1   10   12 , Jide Idris  3 , Lay-Myint Yoshida  1   2   10
Affiliations

Molecular Epidemiology, Drug-Resistant Variants, and Therapeutic Implications of Hepatitis B Virus and Hepatitis D Virus Prevalence in Nigeria: A National Study

Oludare 'Sunbo Adewuyi et al. Pathogens. .

Abstract

Information on circulating HBV (sub-)genotype, variants, and hepatitis D virus (HDV) coinfection, which vary by geographical area, is crucial for the efficient control and management of HBV. We investigated the genomic characteristics of HBV (with a prevalence of 8.1%) and the prevalence of HDV in Nigeria. We utilised 777 HBV-positive samples and epidemiological data from the two-stage sampled population-based, nationally representative Nigeria HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey conducted in 2018. We assessed 732 HBV DNA-extracted samples with detectable viral loads (VLs) for (sub-)genotypes and variants by whole-genome pre-amplification, nested PCR of the s-and pol-gene, and BigDye Terminator sequencing. We conducted HDV serology. In total, 19 out of the 36 + 1 states in Nigeria had a high prevalence of HBV (≥8%), with the highest prevalence (10.4%) in the north-central geopolitical zone. Up to 33.2% (95% CI 30.0-36.6) of the participants had detectable VLs of ≥300 copies/mL. The predominant circulating HBV genotype was E with 98.4% (95% CI 97.1-99.1), followed by A with 1.6% (95% CI 0.9-2.9). Drug-resistant associated variants and immune escape variants were detected in 9.3% and 0.4%, respectively. The seroprevalence of HDV was 7.34% (95% CI 5.5-9.2). Nigeria has subtype E as the major genotype with many variants.

Keywords: HBV; HDV; Nigeria; drug-resistant associated variants; genotypes; viral load.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Study flow chart of the national HBV study in Nigeria, 2024. NAIIS, Nigeria HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey; HBsAg, hepatitis B surface antigen; VL, viral load.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Geographical distribution of all HBV samples by state (and the FCT) according to prevalence group in Nigeria, 2024.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Geospatial distribution of all 626 s- and pol-genes sequenced HBV genotypes in Nigeria (heat map showing hotspots) of HBV genotypes in Nigeria, 2024.
Figure 4
Figure 4
The phylogenetic tree generated with the s-gene (samples with F and R reads) using Geneious Prime and enhanced visually by iTOL displays the identified 519 HBV genotypes in Nigeria, 2024. An MAFFT alignment was carried out and the dendrogram was constructed via the neighbour-joining method. The outgroup was an HBV sequence from a gorilla with accession number AJ131567. There were 76 reference sequences from the GenBank representing all HBV (sub)types (A—J).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. WHO WHO Sounds Alarm on Viral Hepatitis Infections Claiming 3500 Lives Each Day. [(accessed on 22 October 2024)]. Available online: https://www.who.int/news/item/09-04-2024-who-sounds-alarm-on-viral-hepat....
    1. Gökengin D., Noori T., Alemany A., Bienkowski C., Liegon G., İnkaya A.Ç., Molina J.M. Hepatitis B—Annual Epidemiological Report for 2022. Lancet Reg. Health Eur. 2023;34:100738. doi: 10.1016/j.lanepe.2023.100738. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Hepatitis B Foundation What is Hepatitis B? 2024. [(accessed on 22 October 2024)]. Available online: https://www.hepb.org/what-is-hepatitis-b/what-is-hepb/
    1. US-CDC Global Viral Hepatitis: Millions of People Are Affected CDC. [(accessed on 22 October 2024)];2024 Available online: https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/global/index.html.
    1. Alberts C.J., Clifford G.M., Georges D., Negro F., Lesi O.A., Hutin Y.J., de Martel C. Worldwide prevalence of hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus among patients with cirrhosis at country, region, and global levels: A systematic review. Lancet Gastroenterol. Hepatol. 2022;7:724–735. doi: 10.1016/S2468-1253(22)00050-4. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

MeSH terms

LinkOut - more resources