Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Hepatitis B Virus Prevalence Among HIV-Uninfected People Living in Rural and Peri-Urban Areas in Botswana

Motswedi Anderson
,
Thabo Mangogola
,
Bonolo B. Phinius
,
Gorata Mpebe
,
Christopher O. Aimakhu
,
Wonderful T. Choga
ORCID logo ,
Basetsana Phakedi
,
Lynnette N. Bhebhe
,
Doreen Ditshwanelo
,
Kabo Baruti
,
Linda Mpofu-Dobo
,
Lebogang Othusitse
,
Tsholofelo Ratsoma
,
Tendani Gaolathe
,
Joseph Makhema
,
Roger Shapiro
,
Shahin Lockman
,
Sikhulile Moyo
,
Simani Gaseitsiwe
*
Version 1 : Received: 7 May 2024 / Approved: 8 May 2024 / Online: 8 May 2024 (07:19:03 CEST)

How to cite: Anderson, M.; Mangogola, T.; Phinius, B. B.; Mpebe, G.; Aimakhu, C. O.; Choga, W. T.; Phakedi, B.; Bhebhe, L. N.; Ditshwanelo, D.; Baruti, K.; Mpofu-Dobo, L.; Othusitse, L.; Ratsoma, T.; Gaolathe, T.; Makhema, J.; Shapiro, R.; Lockman, S.; Moyo, S.; Gaseitsiwe, S. Hepatitis B Virus Prevalence Among HIV-Uninfected People Living in Rural and Peri-Urban Areas in Botswana. Preprints 2024, 2024050483. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202405.0483.v1 Anderson, M.; Mangogola, T.; Phinius, B. B.; Mpebe, G.; Aimakhu, C. O.; Choga, W. T.; Phakedi, B.; Bhebhe, L. N.; Ditshwanelo, D.; Baruti, K.; Mpofu-Dobo, L.; Othusitse, L.; Ratsoma, T.; Gaolathe, T.; Makhema, J.; Shapiro, R.; Lockman, S.; Moyo, S.; Gaseitsiwe, S. Hepatitis B Virus Prevalence Among HIV-Uninfected People Living in Rural and Peri-Urban Areas in Botswana. Preprints 2024, 2024050483. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202405.0483.v1

Abstract

Abstract: (1) Background: We determined the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) amongst people without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in rural and peri-urban areas in Botswana. (2) Methods: We screened hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) from archived plasma samples of people without HIV (n=2135) randomly selected from the Botswana Combination Prevention Program (BCPP) (2013–2018). We sequenced 415 bp of the surface region using BigDye sequencing chemistry. (3) Results: The median age of participants was 31 (IQR: 24–46) and 64% (1360/2135) were female. HBsAg prevalence was 4.0% (86/2135) [95% CI: 3.3 – 4.9]) and ranged between 0%–9.2%. Older participants (>35 years) had increased odds of HBsAg positivity (OR: 1.94; 95% CI: [1.32–2.86]; p = 0.001. Thirteen samples were sequenced and 7 (53.8%) were genotype A, 3 (23.1%) were genotype D and genotype E each. Clinically significant mutations were identified in the surface region, but no classic drug resistance mutations were identified. (4) Conclusions: We report an HBV prevalence of 4.0% (95% CI 3.3 – 4.9) among people without HIV in rural and pe-ri-urban communities in Botswana with varying rates in different communities. A comprehen-sive national HBV program is required in Botswana to guide HBV prevention, testing and management.

Keywords

Hepatitis B Virus; HBV; prevalence; genotypes; mutations; HIV negative; Africa

Subject

Biology and Life Sciences, Virology

Copyright: This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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