Differences in prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection and genotypes between ethnic populations in Suriname, South America

M. S. MacDonald – Ottevanger, A. Boyd, M. Prins, J. J. van der Helm, C. W. R. Zijlmans, A. D. Hindori-Mohangoo, S. Harkisoen, S. M. Hermelijn, K. Brinkman, J. Codrington, J. Roosblad, S. A. R. Kort, E. Th.M. Dams, T. J. W. van de Laar, S. G. S. Vreden

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Abstract

Epidemiological data on hepatitis B virus (HBV) are needed to benchmark HBV elimination goals. We recently assessed prevalence of HBV infection and determinants in participants attending the Emergency Department in Paramaribo, Suriname, South America. Overall, 24.5% (95%CI = 22.7–26.4%) of participants had anti-Hepatitis B core antibodies, which was associated with older age (per year, adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR] = 1.03, 95%CI = 1.02–1.04), Afro-Surinamese (aOR = 1.84, 95%CI = 1.52–2.19) and Javanese ethnicity (aOR = 1.63, 95%CI = 1.28–2.07, compared to the grand mean). 3.2% of participants were Hepatitis B surface Ag-positive, which was also associated with older age (per year, aOR = 1.02, 95%CI = 1.00–1.04), Javanese (aOR = 4.3, 95%CI = 2.66–6.95) and Afro-Surinamese ethnicity (aOR = 2.36, 95%CI = 1.51–3.71). Sex, nosocomial or culturally-related HBV transmission risk-factors were not associated with infection. Phylogenetic analysis revealed strong ethnic clustering: Indonesian subgenotype HBV/B3 among Javanese and African subgenotypes HBV/A1, HBV/QS-A3 and HBV/E among Afro-Surinamese. Testing for HBV during adulthood should be considered for individuals living in Suriname, specifically with Javanese and Afro-Surinamese ancestry.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)53-61
Number of pages9
JournalVirology
Volume564
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2021

Keywords

  • Anti-Hepatitis B core
  • Epidemiology
  • Ethnic group
  • Genotype
  • HBsAg prevalence
  • Hepatitis B virus
  • Suriname

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