Adesina OA, Akanbi OA, Oluyege A

• access_time8 May, 2025

  subjectCategory: Biological Sciences

• The hepatitis B virus has four open reading frames whose products have definite roles relating to the diagnosis, pathogenesis, and by extension the management of hepatitis B. While studies have been done on the S gene in Africa, there is a paucity of data on other genes, including the HBc gene. This study was designed to determine the prevalence and types of HBc gene mutations in southwest Nigeria. After serological screening of 223 apparently healthy and febrile individuals, one hundred and ninetynine (199) samples were positive for HBsAg, out of which thirty-five (35) had the HBc gene amplified and sequenced. Whereas only six (17.1 %) of the 35 HBV C gene positive reported to the medical facility for being sick, the 29 others (82.9 %), who are likely chronic carriers of the virus, were apparently healthy. This study reveals the occurrence of cS83P (18; 51.4 %) mutation which has been associated with hepatocellular carcinoma and cR147C (18; 51.4 %) which has been reported to influence antigenicity and stability of HBV and may create escape mutants. More studies need to be carried out on HBV genes to aid its control in West Africa.
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