First hepatitis B virus full-length genomic study among blood donors from Argentina: unexpected mutations in the circulating subgenotypes' proteins.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a worldwide public health concern. The circulation of strains carrying mutations in the viral proteins implies both clinical and therapeutics challenges. HBV complete genomes (HBV-CGs) were reported from injecting drug users and HBV chronically infected patients from Argentina-including Amerindians-although no studies were conducted in blood donors. Here, we described HBV-CG sequences from the latter population. Some of the HBV sequences classified as B2 and C2 subgenotypes clustering together with Asian isolates, while others, such as D3, F1b, and F4, were homologous to European and Latin America sequences. New substitutions for all analyzed open reading frames and changes in the HBsAg hydrophobicity profiles were detected. Several HBV-CG subgenotypes are described for the first time in this population. Mutations observed in X, PreS, and P proteins have been associated with advanced liver disease, hepatocellular carcinoma, and/or natural resistance to nucleos(t)ide antiviral treatment. It deserves to be highlighted that these substitutions were detected in a population without epidemiological risk factors for viral infection, and most importantly, without any previous antiviral treatment (natural resistance). Regarding the remaining mutations, further research is warranted in order to determine their clinical and therapeutics relevance.

HBV-HDV en donantes de sangre: prevalencia y análisis molecular / Hepatitis B virus and Hepatitis D virus in blood donors: prevalence and molecular analysis in an Argentinean population

The aim of this report was to determine retrospectively the prevalence of hepatitis viruses infection by both HBV and HDV, and to identify the genotype in a population of blood donors. From 42,055 sample of donors, the authors study the hepatitis B virus and hepatitis D virus prevalence and molecular analysis in an Argentinean population. The results obtained are detailed in the article.

Prevalencia de infección por HTLV-I/II en donantes de sangre de la Provincia de Santa Fe, Argentina / Prevalence of HTLV-I/II infection among blood donors in Santa Fe Province, Argentina

Subsequent to the National Epidemiologic Surveillance Program developed in 1997 by the National AIDS Program, anti-HTLV-I/II antibodies among blood donors in Santa Fe Province started to be detected. On the basis of this initial finding, it was regarded of interest to evaluate the true HTLV-I/II seroprevalence in this population during a four-year survey. Thus, from 1997 up to 2002, 9425 samples were studied from 17 out of the 19 provincial departments. Out of the total sampling, 38 proved reactive by agglutination techniques, 18 of which were confirmed by western blot (WB). Out of the latter, 10 were HTLV-I/II seropositive with a final prevalence of 0.1% (10/9425), whereas 7 were indeterminate and 1 negative. Among these 10 confirmed sera, 2 (0.02%) were HTLV, 3 (0.03%) HTLV-I and 5 (0.05%) HTLV-II. It should be highlighted that the presence of HTLV-I/II infection in blood donors in Santa Fe Province was demonstrated for the first time, with a prevalence greater than that reported for blood donors in non-endemic Argentine areas. Such findings confirm the need of corresponding systematic screening through regulatory blood bank norms in Santa Fe Province.

Subsecuentemente a que en 1997 el Programa Nacional de SIDA implementó un Programa de Vigilancia Epidemiológica a escala nacional, se comenzaron a detectar anticuerpos anti-HTLV-I/II en donantes de sangre de la Provincia de Santa Fe. En base a ese hallazgo inicial, se consideró pertinenteestimar la seroprevalencia de HTLV-I/II en donantes santafecinos en el curso de los 4 años siguientes. Así,desde 1997 hasta 2002, se estudiaron 9425 muestras provenientes de 17 de los 19 departamentos de laProvincia. Del total de muestras, 38 resultaron reactivas por técnicas de tamizaje, y de ellas 18 fueron confirmadas por western blot (WB). De esas muestras, 10 fueron HTLV-I/II seropositivas con una prevalencia finalde 0.1% (10/9425), en tanto que 7 resultaron indeterminadas y 1 negativa. De las seropositivas, 2 (0.02 %)eran HTLV, 3 (0.03 %) HTLV-I, y 5 (0.05 %) HTLV-II. Cabe destacar que por primera vez se constató lapresencia de infección por HTLV-I/II en donantes de sangre de Santa Fe, y con una prevalencia mayor a lasreferidas para donantes de sangre de áreas no endémicas de Argentina. Estos datos fundamentan la necesidadde un screening sistemático para la infección por HTLV-I/II mediante normas regulatorias en bancos desangre de esta provincia..

Prevalencia de infección por HTLV-I/II en donantes de sangre de la Provincia de Santa Fe, Argentina / Prevalence of HTLV-I/II infection among blood donors in Santa Fe Province, Argentina

Subsequent to the National Epidemiologic Surveillance Program developed in 1997 by the National AIDS Program, anti-HTLV-I/II antibodies among blood donors in Santa Fe Province started to be detected. On the basis of this initial finding, it was regarded of interest to evaluate the true HTLV-I/II seroprevalence in this population during a four-year survey. Thus, from 1997 up to 2002, 9425 samples were studied from 17 out of the 19 provincial departments. Out of the total sampling, 38 proved reactive by agglutination techniques, 18 of which were confirmed by western blot (WB). Out of the latter, 10 were HTLV-I/II seropositive with a final prevalence of 0.1% (10/9425), whereas 7 were indeterminate and 1 negative. Among these 10 confirmed sera, 2 (0.02%) were HTLV, 3 (0.03%) HTLV-I and 5 (0.05%) HTLV-II. It should be highlighted that the presence of HTLV-I/II infection in blood donors in Santa Fe Province was demonstrated for the first time, with a prevalence greater than that reported for blood donors in non-endemic Argentine areas. Such findings confirm the need of corresponding systematic screening through regulatory blood bank norms in Santa Fe Province.(AU)

Subsecuentemente a que en 1997 el Programa Nacional de SIDA implementó un Programa de Vigilancia Epidemiológica a escala nacional, se comenzaron a detectar anticuerpos anti-HTLV-I/II en donantes de sangre de la Provincia de Santa Fe. En base a ese hallazgo inicial, se consideró pertinenteestimar la seroprevalencia de HTLV-I/II en donantes santafecinos en el curso de los 4 años siguientes. Así,desde 1997 hasta 2002, se estudiaron 9425 muestras provenientes de 17 de los 19 departamentos de laProvincia. Del total de muestras, 38 resultaron reactivas por técnicas de tamizaje, y de ellas 18 fueron confirmadas por western blot (WB). De esas muestras, 10 fueron HTLV-I/II seropositivas con una prevalencia finalde 0.1% (10/9425), en tanto que 7 resultaron indeterminadas y 1 negativa. De las seropositivas, 2 (0.02 %)eran HTLV, 3 (0.03 %) HTLV-I, y 5 (0.05 %) HTLV-II. Cabe destacar que por primera vez se constató lapresencia de infección por HTLV-I/II en donantes de sangre de Santa Fe, y con una prevalencia mayor a lasreferidas para donantes de sangre de áreas no endémicas de Argentina. Estos datos fundamentan la necesidadde un screening sistemático para la infección por HTLV-I/II mediante normas regulatorias en bancos desangre de esta provincia..(AU)