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Children have an increased likelihood of becoming carriers of the chronic hepatitis B virus. A total of 1,381 children and adolescents were assessed in five municipalities of Maranhao State, Brazil, for detection of anti-HBc, HBsAg and anti-HBs serologic markers and sociodemographic and behavioral features. Among those who were HBsAg negative and anti-HBc negative, the proportion of anti-HBs positives was calculated after the individuals had completed the vaccination schedule. The robust variance of the Poisson's regression model was used in order to have adjusted tables and calculate the prevalence ratio. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify the factors associated with the prevalence of anti-HBc with or without HBsAg and the vaccine response. It was observed that 163 children were anti-HBc positive and nine individuals were HBsAg positive. The factors associated with the infection were: municipality of residence (residing in Morros municipality or Humberto de Campos municipality), residence in a rural area, aged between 13 and 15 years old, and illicit drug use. The percentage of individuals who were anti-HBc negative and received all three doses of the vaccine was 48.5%. Among these, only 276 (38.9%) had antibodies at protective concentrations. In an adjusted analysis, Morros municipality presented an increased positivity of vaccine response (p < 0.001), and the age ranging between 6 and 10 years old presented a reduced frequency of response. This study reveals a high prevalence of current and past HBV infection within the targeted age group which, in addition to the low vaccination coverage and serological responses, raises concerns about the management of prevention measures, especially the quality of vaccination in these locations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and Objectives: Espírito Santo state is considered a region with a higher frequency of hepatitis B virus infection. This study characterized demographic, epidemiological, laboratory, virological and clinical aspects of 587 chronic HBV carriers followed up at the University of Espírito Santo Hospital. Materials and Methods: Demographic, epidemiological, laboratory and clinical data were extracted from medical records during the entire follow-up period. Classification of the evolutionary phases of chronic hepatitis B was defined as immunotolerant; inactive carrier; chronic active hepatitis HBeAg (+) and HBeAg (-). Characterization of HBV genotypes/subgenotypes was performed by sequencing of overlapping surface antigens and HBV DNA polymerase genes. Phylogenetic relationships were determined using BEAST 1.8.3 software. Results: and Conclusions: Genotypes found were A (132/65.3%) [A1 = 129 (63.9%) and A2 = 3 (1.5%)], D (66/32.7%) [D3 = 56 (27.7%), D4 = 8 (4.0%) and D2 = 2 (1.0%)] and F (4/2.0%) - all F2a. Subgenotypes A1 or D3 were not associated with age, sex, HIV/HCV co-infection, viral load, antiviral usage, HBeAg status or clinical stages of chronic hepatitis B. Mother -to-child-transmission (MTCT) was associated with the subgenotype A1 and intrafamilial transmission with subgenotype D3. Subgenotype A1 was more frequent than D3 among individuals born outside ES compared to those born in ES. Conclusions: The most predominant clinical phases were HBeAg (-), inactive carrier and chronic active hepatitis HBeAg (-). Subgenotypes A1 and D3 were most frequent and were associated were MTCT and intrafamilial transmission of HBV, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Brazil, few studies on the molecular aspects of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection have been conducted in the interior regions of Sao Paulo State. This study aimed to identify HBV genotypes and evaluate strains with resistance mutations for nucleoside analogues in the Administrative Region (AR) of the municipality of Sao Jose do Rio Preto. We performed nested PCRs of 127 samples from the Health Care Services of the AR to amplify, sequence and analyze fragments of the HBV DNA, in order to identify genotypes and resistance mutations. The HBV S/Pol regions of 126 samples were successfully amplified and sequenced. Five different genotypes were found, and the main ones were A, D and F; a greater number of samples contained the subgenotypes A1 (n = 51; 40.5%), D3 (n = 36; 28.6%), A2 (n = 14; 11.1%) and F2a (n = 9; 7.1%). Resistance mutations (rtM204V/I/S) associated or not with compensatory mutations (rtL180M, rtV173L) were identified in 13.9% (5/36) of patients undergoing viral treatment and 1.1% (1/90) of naïve patients. The diversity of genotypes/subgenotypes found is probably due to the intense migration occurring in the region. These data can complement epidemiological and clinical surveillance, and can be used for a more effective management of chronic HBV patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) virus infection is a major cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), as late diagnosis is the main factor for the poor survival of patients. There is an urgent need for accurate biomarkers for early diagnosis of HCC. The aim of the study was to explore the serum lipidome profiles of hepatitis B-related HCC to identify potential diagnostic biomarkers.Methods: An ultraperformance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) lipidomic method was used to characterize serum profiles from HCC (n = 32), liver cirrhosis (LC) (n = 30), CHB (n = 25), and healthy subjects (n = 34). Patients were diagnosed by clinical laboratory and imaging evidence and all presented with CHB while healthy controls had normal liver function and no infectious diseases.Results: The UPLC-MS-based serum lipidomic profile provided more accurate diagnosis for LC patients than conventional alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) detection. HCC patients were discriminated from LC with 78 % sensitivity and 64 % specificity. In comparison, AFP showed sensitivity and specificity of 38 % and 93 %, respectively. HCC was differentiated from CHB with 100 % sensitivity and specificity using the UPLC-MS approach. Identified lipids comprised glycerophosphocolines, glycerophosphoserines and glycerophosphoinositols.Conclusions: UPLC-MS lipid profiling proved to be an efficient and convenient tool for diagnosis and screening of HCC in a high-risk population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]