Mutation frequency and drug resistance profiles in Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) genotypes in chronic carriers | ||||
| Microbes and Infectious Diseases | ||||
| Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 26 June 2025 | ||||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/mid.2025.383279.2773 | ||||
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| Authors | ||||
Shaimaa Rahem Al-Salihy   ; Anfal Shakir Motib
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| Microbiology Department, College of Medicine, University of Diyala, Iraq | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) continues to pose a significant threat to the global health sector. With D and E genotypes predominating in Iraq, antiviral resistance mutations in these genotypes have received a lot of interest. Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the mutation profile in polymerase gene of HBV among chronic carriers and its association with antiviral drug resistance, particularly lamivudine and tenofovir. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted during the period between June and November, 2024, in Hepatology and Gastroenterology Teaching Hospital in the Medical City- Baghdad- Iraq. One hundred serum samples were collected from chronic HBV carriers. HBsAg was detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits and the polymerase gene was analyzed using nested PCR and Sanger sequencing. Mutation frequencies were determined, and their clinical significance was explored using database comparisons and statistical correlation with patient demographics and treatment history. Results: Lamivudine resistance mutations, such as rtL180M: 23% and rtM204V/I: 21/20%, were found to be quite prevalent compared to the less common tenofovir resistance mutation, such as rtA181T and rtA194T. Notably, novel mutations like as rtV173G, rtP217T and rtS219A, were identified underlining unique fingerprints of HBV in this region. Conclusion: The study reveals a high prevalence of lamivudine resistance mutations among chronic carriers in Iraq, while tenofovir resistance is lower. Novel mutations highlight unique regional evolutionary patterns, with older age, elevated viral load, and prior antiviral treatment being significant predictors of mutation emergence. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| Hepatitis B virus; Chronic hepatitis B; Antiviral-resistance mutations; HBV genotypes; HBV polymerase | ||||
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