Circulating Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) RNA and Conventional Markers in Treatment-Naive Persons With HBV in Senegal
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection affects approximately 10% of the general population in West Africa. Circulating HBV RNA may help improve the characterization of HBV disease and prognosis. We aimed to evaluate the associations between HBV RNA and conventional biomarkers of HBV replication in the Senegalese Hepatitis B Cohort Study (SEN-B). METHODS: We included all treatment-naive, human immunodeficiency virus-negative participants of SEN-B with chronic HBV infection confirmed by a quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) >0.05 IU/mL. We quantified HBV RNA, HBV DNA, and HBsAg levels and evaluated associations between those markers stratified by HBV infection phase, alanine aminotransferase level, and liver fibrosis stage. RESULTS: Of 719 participants, 17 (2.4%) were hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive (EP), 620 (86.2%) were classified as HBeAg-negative chronic infection (ENCI), and 82 (11.4%) were classified as HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis (ENCH). HBV RNA was undetectable in 361 (49.8%) participants, and detectable but unquantifiable in 188 (26.1%). HBV RNA levels correlated moderately with HBV DNA levels in EP (ρ = 0.58, P = .01) and ENCH (ρ = 0.54, P < .001) and weakly in ENCI (ρ = 0.39, P < .001). HBsAg levels were only significantly correlated with HBV RNA levels in the ENCH group (ρ = -0.22, P = .05). In multivariable logistic regression, HBV RNA levels and HBV RNA to HBV DNA ratio were independently associated with significant liver fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS: In our cohort of treatment-naive persons with HBV from Senegal, approximately 50% had undetectable HBV RNA levels. HBV RNA levels correlated with HBV DNA but not HBsAg levels in all phases of HBV infection and may provide an additional tool to assess HBV disease phase and activity.
Authors: Lorin Begré, Messan K Akotia, Bruce S Wembulua, Melissa Pandi, Ousseynou Ndiaye, Judicaël Tine, Pascal Bittel, Christoph Niederhauser, Martin Stolz, Andri Rauch, Ndeye Fatou Ngom, Adrià Ramírez Mena, Gilles Wandeler, Moussa Seydi, for the Senegalese Hepatitis B Cohort Study (SEN-B), Amady Ndiaye, Oumy Camara, Aminata Diallo, Astou Diop, Boly Niang, Bintou Fall, Bruce Wembulua, Kevine Tiogouo, Marianne Berthé, Ndeye Maguette Fall, Adrià Ramírez Mena, Judicaël Tine, Aboubakar Sidikh Badiane, Fatima Sall, Daye Ka, Gilles Wandeler, Moussa Seydi, Ahmadou Mboup, Alassane Ndiaye, Abibatou Diaw, Assietou Gaye, Betty Fall, Houleye Saou, Ababacar Niang, Bessoum Sy, Sadio Ba, Astou Diagne, Khaly Diaw, Mamadou Gueye, Kiné Ndiaye, Ndeye Fatou Ngom, Mbaye Thiam, Ibrahima Niang, Joseph Diouf, Ndoye Diop, Aissatou Niang, Mariama Diedhiou, Khady Ndaw, Khady Ghassama, Khadim Faye, Fatou Diop, Marie Massaly, Aminata Ndoye Badji, Melissa Sandrine Pandi, Hubert Akotia, Bineta Seck Fall, Ousseynou Ndiaye, Albert Gautier Ndione, Marie-Joseph Dieme, Abdoulaye Keita, Louise Fortes, Fatou Fall, Adrià Ramírez Mena, Gilles Wandeler, Ibrahima Gueye, Ndeye Fatou Nguirane, Boubacar Coulibaly
Language: English
Topic: Hepatitis B Virus Studies
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,763
OpenAlex ID: W4409600495