Detection of HBV DNA in HBsAg Negative Patients

The term "Occult Hepatitis B Infection" (OBI) refers to the persistence of hepatitis B viral DNA (HBV DNA) in the blood or liver in the absence of detectable HBsAg. When it comes to preventing HBV transmission in our community, this has become a potential threat. The aim of this study was to identify the HBV genotype(s) linked to OBI in Ibadan, Nigeria, as well as the prevalence of the infection. A total of 219 blood samples were included in this study that were previously tested negative for HBsAg using ELISA methods. The HBV DNA in the samples was detected using a nested polymerase chain reaction.

Using descriptive statistics and the Chi square with a p-value of 0.05, the data was analysed. There were 102 (46.6% of men) and 117 (53.4% of women) participants overall (P = 0.204). The participants' ages range from 1 to 70, with the mean age for females being 32.1 years (SD: 12.7) and for men being 33.9 years (SD: 12.4). Participants' clinical conditions ranged from those who were asymptomatic to those who had acute hepatitis disease. A prevalence of 0.5% for HBV DNA was found in one of the 219 samples analysed. The positive sample came from a 30-year-old female. Due to inadequate sequence data, we were unable to identify the genotype of the isolate. The prevalence of 0.5% OBI in the present study provides evidence of occult hepatitis B viral circulation in our community. To prevent the spread of the virus through the transfusion of infected blood and blood products, blood units must be screened using the Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT) technique. Increasing public awareness of HBV vaccination is also necessary to reduce the risk that OBI may present.