Prevalence of Hepatitis B virus and Hepatitis D virus Coinfection in Western Burkina Faso and molecular characterization of the detected virus strains.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we monitored the seroprevalence of HBV-HDV co-infection in different population groups in the Western part of Burkina Faso, and described the genetic diversity of the detected virus strains.

METHODS: Between October 2013 and December 2014, venous blood samples were collected from different cohorts (blood donors, pregnant women, outpatients) in the western region of Burkina Faso. Samples were tested for HBsAg and total anti-HDV antibodies. Positive samples were further analysed for HBV-DNA and HDV-RNA. Genotyping of the detected virus strains was done by nucleotide sequencing and phylogenetic analyses.

RESULTS: A total of 841 participants were included in this study. The mean age was 27.45 years (range: 7-89 years). HBsAg was found in 117 (13.9%) participants. Of the HBsAg positive samples, 4 (3.4%) were positive for total anti-HDV antibodies and negative for HDV RNA. Phylogenetic analyses based on the HBV complete genome (n=10) and S fragment sequences (n=35) showed that all strains belonged to genotype E.

CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed a high HBsAg prevalence, but a low rate of HDV co-infection in HBsAg carriers from western Burkina Faso. The predominance of HBV genotype E in the country was confirmed. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of the burden of HBV and HDV infection in western Burkina Faso.