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Peer-reviewedCC BYViruses

Prevalence and Genetic Diversity of Hepatitis B and C Viruses in People Living with HIV in the Capital District of Venezuela.

  • Julie Andreina Beltrán1,2
  • Yoneira Fabiola Sulbarán1
  • Nahir Martínez-Urbina3
  • Mario Comegna4
  • María Graciela López5
  • Lily Soto6
  • Carlos Pérez7
  • Moraima Hernández8
  • Flor Helene Pujol1
  • Rossana Celeste Jaspe1
8 affiliations
  1. 1Laboratorio de Virología Molecular, Centro de Microbiología y Biología Celular (CMBC), Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC), Caracas 1020, Venezuela.
  2. 2Unidad de Microscopía Electrónica, Centro de Química, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC), Caracas 1020, Venezuela.
  3. 3Sección de Virología, Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Universidad Central de Venezuela (UCV), Caracas 1050, Venezuela.
  4. 4Fundación Proyecto Once Trece, Caracas 1060, Venezuela.
  5. 5Unidad de VIH, Servicio de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital de Niños J. M. de los Ríos, Caracas 1011, Venezuela.
  6. 6Sección de Inmunología, Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Universidad Central de Venezuela (UCV), Caracas 1050, Venezuela.
  7. 7Unidad de Infectología, Hospital Dr. Jesús Yerena, Caracas 1010, Venezuela.
  8. 8Unidad de Infectología, Maternidad Concepción Palacios, Caracas 1010, Venezuela.
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Abstract

Coinfection between hepatitis viruses and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) significantly increases liver disease and AIDS progression. This retrospective cross-sectional study evaluated the prevalence and genetic diversity of hepatitis B (HBV) and C viruses (HCV) among people living with HIV (PLWH) in Venezuela's Capital District. A total of 420 serum samples collected between 2022 and 2025 were tested for serological and molecular markers, including whole-genome HBV sequencing via next-generation sequencing (NGS) to characterize viral genotype distribution and mutations. Seroprevalences for HBsAg, anti-HBc, and anti-HCV were 2.9%, 20%, and 4.0%, respectively. HBV exposure was significantly higher in older men, with no differences between treatment-naïve and treated patients. Occult HBV infection (OBI) prevalence decreased compared to 2014 data (seropositive: 7% vs. 16%, seronegative: 0.9% vs. 20%). This decline, along with the higher HBV exposure among older adults, may be partially attributed to the universal HBV vaccination introduced in Venezuela in 1998, as well as modifications in antiretroviral therapy affecting HBV replication. Notably, key vaccine- and diagnostic-escape mutations were detected in OBI cases, highlighting clinical and public health concerns. Increased HCV prevalence appears to be linked to rising intravenous drug use in the country. HBV phylogenetic analysis revealed genotype F3 as predominant, followed by F1b (Cosmopolitan clade), while HCV showed genotype 1a to be the most frequent, followed by 1b and 3a. These findings underscore the success of immunization efforts but highlight the urgent need for continuous molecular surveillance and updated public health policies, including targeted harm-reduction programs, to control viral hepatitis in vulnerable populations.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{beltran2026prevalence,
  title = {{Prevalence and Genetic Diversity of Hepatitis B and C Viruses in People Living with HIV in the Capital District of Venezuela.}},
  author = {Julie Andreina Beltrán and Yoneira Fabiola Sulbarán and Nahir Martínez-Urbina and Mario Comegna and María Graciela López and Lily Soto and Carlos Pérez and Moraima Hernández and Flor Helene Pujol and Rossana Celeste Jaspe},
  journal = {Viruses},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.3390/v18101103},
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42944024},
  note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Prevalence and Genetic Diversity of Hepatitis B and C Viruses in People Living with HIV in the Capital District of Venezuela.
AU  - Julie Andreina Beltrán
AU  - Yoneira Fabiola Sulbarán
AU  - Nahir Martínez-Urbina
AU  - Mario Comegna
AU  - María Graciela López
AU  - Lily Soto
AU  - Carlos Pérez
AU  - Moraima Hernández
AU  - Flor Helene Pujol
AU  - Rossana Celeste Jaspe
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/06
JO  - Viruses
DO  - 10.3390/v18101103
UR  - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42944024
AB  - Coinfection between hepatitis viruses and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) significantly increases liver disease and AIDS progression. This retrospective cross-sectional study evaluated the prevalence and genetic diversity of hepatitis B (HBV) and C viruses (HCV) among people living with HIV (PLWH) in Venezuela's Capital District. A total of 420 serum samples collected between 2022 and 2025 were tested for serological and molecular markers, including whole-genome HBV sequencing via next-generation sequencing (NGS) to characterize viral genotype distribution and mutations. Seroprevalences for HBsAg, anti-HBc, and anti-HCV were 2.9%, 20%, and 4.0%, respectively. HBV exposure was significantly higher in older men, with no differences between treatment-naïve and treated patients. Occult HBV infection (OBI) prevalence decreased compared to 2014 data (seropositive: 7% vs. 16%, seronegative: 0.9% vs. 20%). This decline, along with the higher HBV exposure among older adults, may be partially attributed to the universal HBV vaccination introduced in Venezuela in 1998, as well as modifications in antiretroviral therapy affecting HBV replication. Notably, key vaccine- and diagnostic-escape mutations were detected in OBI cases, highlighting clinical and public health concerns. Increased HCV prevalence appears to be linked to rising intravenous drug use in the country. HBV phylogenetic analysis revealed genotype F3 as predominant, followed by F1b (Cosmopolitan clade), while HCV showed genotype 1a to be the most frequent, followed by 1b and 3a. These findings underscore the success of immunization efforts but highlight the urgent need for continuous molecular surveillance and updated public health policies, including targeted harm-reduction programs, to control viral hepatitis in vulnerable populations.
SN  - 1999-4915
ER  -