Work

Update on the HDV seroprevalence and genotype distribution among patients positive for HBsAg referred to a National Reference Laboratory in Cameroon between January 2019 and December 2020

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: • High seroprevalence and significant regional variation of HDV infection in Cameroon • Wide genetic diversity of HDV in Cameroon • Impact of HBV vaccination on HDV infection Cameroon is known to be endemic for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, but available data on hepatitis delta virus (HDV) prevalence and genetic diversity are limited, inconsistent, and outdated. This study aimed to assess current HDV prevalence and determine HDV genotype distribution among HBsAg-positive patients in Cameroon. This cross-sectional study examined HBsAg-positive patients from Cameroon's ten administrative regions. Anti-HDV antibodies and HDV viral load (VL) were tested using validated commercial ELISA and HDV-VL quantification assays. HDV genotypes were determined by the Sanger sequencing method, followed by phylogenetic analysis of the ‘HDV R0’ genome region previously described. Of the 859 HBsAg-positive patients tested, 142 (16.5%) tested positive for anti-HDV, and HDV RNA was detected in 110 of them (77.5%). The southern region of Cameroon had the highest infection rate. Notably, an undetectable HBV-VL was significantly associated with HDV infection (p < 0.001). Patients younger than 15 years old were the least infected (10%). Five genotypes, HDV-1 (the more prevalent, 83.6%), HDV-5, HDV-6, HDV-7 and HDV-8 were found in the studied population. Cameroon remains an endemic country for HDV, exhibiting high prevalence, remarkable regional distribution, and wide genetic diversity.

Source: IJID Regions

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijregi.2025.100834