Open AccessPrevalence and Genetic Diversity of Hepatitis B and C Viruses Among Couples Attending Antenatal Care in a Rural Community in Rwanda
Author(s) -
Onesphore Majyambere,
Andrew Nyerere,
Louis S. Nkaka,
Nadine Rujeni,
Raphael L. Wekessa
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
east africa science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2664-1003
pISSN - 2664-0996
DOI - 10.24248/easci.v1.iss1.15
Subject(s) - medicine , hbsag , hepatitis b virus , seroprevalence , hepatitis c virus , hepatitis b , immunology , genotype , serology , hbeag , virology , antibody , virus , biology , biochemistry , gene
Background:Globally, over 325 and 170 million people are infectedwith hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), respectively.If untreated, these infections can progress to cirrhosis orhepatocellular carcinoma. The primary aim of this study was to determinethe prevalence, genetic diversity, and factors associated with HBV andHCV among couples attending antenatal care in rural Rwanda.Methods: This was across-sectional survey of HBV and HCV seroprevalence. Study participantswere administered a brief structured questionnaire to obtain informationon sociodemographic and behavioural risk factors for HBV and HCV.Participant blood samples were screened for hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg) and anti-HCV antibodies (anti-HCV) using rapid diagnostic kits;confirmatory testing was done by enzyme immunoassay and nucleic acidtests. HBV genotypes were determined using nested polymerase chainreaction; HCV genotypes were determined by reverse transcriptase PCRfollowed by hybridisation with sequence-specific oligonucleotides.Statistical associations between risk factors and infection status weredetermined using Chi-square tests and bivariate logisticregression. Results:In total, 220 individuals participated in the study. Thisincludes 110 pregnant women and 110 male partners who were attendingantenatal care at Gitare and Cyanika health centres. Two participants(0.9%) had serological evidence of HBV infection, and 4 participants(1.8%) were infected with HCV. HBV genotype A accounted for all HBVinfections; HCV genotype 4 accounted for all HCV infections. None of theassessed factors were associated with HBV infection while occupationtype and scarification were significantly associated with HCV infection(P values were .03 and <.01 respectively).All cases of infection were discordant with their respectivepartners. Conclusion:Prevalence rates of HBsAg and anti-HCV are low in couplesattending antenatal clinics in rural Rwanda. Consideration should begiven to interventions aimed at reducing the risk of transmission indiscordant couples and infants of infected mothers.