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Phinius BB, Choga WT, Anderson M, Mokomane M, Gobe I, Ratsoma T, Phakedi B, Mpebe G, Bhebhe L, Gaolathe T, Mosepele M, Makhema J, Shapiro R, Lockman S, Musonda R, Moyo S, Gaseitsiwe S. Molecular Characterization of Hepatitis B Virus in People Living with HIV in Rural and Peri-Urban Communities in Botswana. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1561. [PMID: 39062134 PMCID: PMC11275055 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12071561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) sequencing data are important for monitoring HBV evolution. We aimed to molecularly characterize HBV sequences from participants with HBV surface antigen-positive (HBsAg+) serology and occult hepatitis B infection (OBI+). (2) Methods: We utilized archived plasma samples from people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH) in Botswana. HBV DNA was sequenced, genotyped and analyzed for mutations. We compared mutations from study sequences to those from previously generated HBV sequences in Botswana. The impact of OBI-associated mutations on protein function was assessed using the Protein Variation Effect Analyzer. (3) Results: Sequencing success was higher in HBsAg+ than in OBI+ samples [86/128 (67.2%) vs. 21/71 (29.2%)]. Overall, 93.5% (100/107) of sequences were genotype A1, 2.8% (3/107) were D3 and 3.7% (4/107) were E. We identified 13 escape mutations in 18/90 (20%) sequences with HBsAg coverage, with K122R having the highest frequency. The mutational profile of current sequences differed from previous Botswana HBV sequences, suggesting possible mutational changes over time. Mutations deemed to have an impact on protein function were tpQ6H, surfaceV194A and preCW28L. (4) Conclusions: We characterized HBV sequences from PLWH in Botswana. Escape mutations were prevalent and were not associated with OBI. Longitudinal HBV studies are needed to investigate HBV natural evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bonolo B. Phinius
- Botswana Harvard Health Partnership, Gaborone Private Bag BO320, Botswana; (B.B.P.); (S.M.)
- School of Allied Health Professions, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Botswana, Gaborone Private Bag UB0022, Botswana; (M.M.); (I.G.)
| | - Wonderful T. Choga
- Botswana Harvard Health Partnership, Gaborone Private Bag BO320, Botswana; (B.B.P.); (S.M.)
- School of Allied Health Professions, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Botswana, Gaborone Private Bag UB0022, Botswana; (M.M.); (I.G.)
| | - Motswedi Anderson
- Botswana Harvard Health Partnership, Gaborone Private Bag BO320, Botswana; (B.B.P.); (S.M.)
- Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI), Private Bag X7, Congella, Durban 4013, South Africa
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Margaret Mokomane
- School of Allied Health Professions, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Botswana, Gaborone Private Bag UB0022, Botswana; (M.M.); (I.G.)
| | - Irene Gobe
- School of Allied Health Professions, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Botswana, Gaborone Private Bag UB0022, Botswana; (M.M.); (I.G.)
| | - Tsholofelo Ratsoma
- Botswana Harvard Health Partnership, Gaborone Private Bag BO320, Botswana; (B.B.P.); (S.M.)
| | - Basetsana Phakedi
- Botswana Harvard Health Partnership, Gaborone Private Bag BO320, Botswana; (B.B.P.); (S.M.)
| | - Gorata Mpebe
- Botswana Harvard Health Partnership, Gaborone Private Bag BO320, Botswana; (B.B.P.); (S.M.)
| | - Lynnette Bhebhe
- Botswana Harvard Health Partnership, Gaborone Private Bag BO320, Botswana; (B.B.P.); (S.M.)
| | - Tendani Gaolathe
- Botswana Harvard Health Partnership, Gaborone Private Bag BO320, Botswana; (B.B.P.); (S.M.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Botswana, Gaborone Private Bag UB0022, Botswana
| | - Mosepele Mosepele
- Botswana Harvard Health Partnership, Gaborone Private Bag BO320, Botswana; (B.B.P.); (S.M.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Botswana, Gaborone Private Bag UB0022, Botswana
| | - Joseph Makhema
- Botswana Harvard Health Partnership, Gaborone Private Bag BO320, Botswana; (B.B.P.); (S.M.)
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Roger Shapiro
- Botswana Harvard Health Partnership, Gaborone Private Bag BO320, Botswana; (B.B.P.); (S.M.)
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Shahin Lockman
- Botswana Harvard Health Partnership, Gaborone Private Bag BO320, Botswana; (B.B.P.); (S.M.)
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Rosemary Musonda
- Botswana Harvard Health Partnership, Gaborone Private Bag BO320, Botswana; (B.B.P.); (S.M.)
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Sikhulile Moyo
- Botswana Harvard Health Partnership, Gaborone Private Bag BO320, Botswana; (B.B.P.); (S.M.)
- School of Allied Health Professions, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Botswana, Gaborone Private Bag UB0022, Botswana; (M.M.); (I.G.)
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Division of Medical Virology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, Cape Town 7602, South Africa
- School of Health Systems and Public Health, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Pretoria 0028, South Africa
| | - Simani Gaseitsiwe
- Botswana Harvard Health Partnership, Gaborone Private Bag BO320, Botswana; (B.B.P.); (S.M.)
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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2
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Choga WT, Bareng OT, Moraka NO, Maruapula D, Gobe I, Ndlovu NS, Zuze BJL, Motshosi PC, Seru KB, Matsuru T, Boitswarelo M, Matshaba M, Gaolathe T, Mosepele M, Makhema J, Tamura TJM, Li JZ, Shapiro R, Lockman S, Gaseitsiwe S, Moyo S. Low Prevalence of Nirmatrelvir-Ritonavir Resistance-Associated Mutations in SARS-CoV-2 Lineages From Botswana. Open Forum Infect Dis 2024; 11:ofae344. [PMID: 39015352 PMCID: PMC11250512 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofae344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Background We evaluated naturally occurring nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (NTV/r) resistance-associated mutations (RAMs) among severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) strains from Botswana, a country with no NTV/r use to date, in order to recommend the usage of the agent for high-risk patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis using 5254 complete SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Botswana (September 2020-September 2023). We evaluated the mutational landscape of SARS-CoV-2 3-Chymotrypsin-like protease (3CLpro) relative to the highlighted list of RAMs granted Food and Drug Administration Emergency Use Authorization in 2023. Results The sequenced 5254 samples included Beta variants of concerns (VOCs; n = 323), Delta VOCs (n = 1314), and Omicron VOCs (n = 3354). Overall, 77.8% of the sequences exhibited at least 1 polymorphism within 76/306 amino acid positions in the nsp5 gene. NTV/rRAMs were identified in 34/5254 (0.65%; 95% CI, 0.43%-0.87%) and occurred at 5 distinct positions. Among the NTV/r RAMS detected, A191V was the most prevalent (24/34; 70.6%). Notably, T21I mutation had a prevalence of 20.6% (7/34) and coexisted with either K90R (n = 3) polymorphism in Beta sequences with RAMs or P132H (n = 3) polymorphism for Omicron sequences with RAMs. Other NTV/r RAMs detected included P108S, with a prevalence of 5.88% (2/34), and L50F, with a prevalence of 2.94% (1/34). NTV/r RAMs were significantly higher (P < .001) in Delta (24/35) compared with Beta (4/34) and Omicron (6/34) sequences. Conclusions The frequency of NTV/r RAMs in Botswana was low. Higher rates were observed in Delta VOCs compared to Omicron and Beta VOCs. As NTV/r use expands globally, continuous surveillance for drug-resistant variants is essential, given the RAMs identified in our study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wonderful T Choga
- Botswana Harvard Health Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
- School of Applied Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Ontlametse T Bareng
- Botswana Harvard Health Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
- School of Applied Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Natasha O Moraka
- Botswana Harvard Health Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
- School of Applied Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
| | | | - Irene Gobe
- School of Applied Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Nokuthula S Ndlovu
- Botswana Harvard Health Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Sciences, Botswana International University of Science and Technology, Palapye, Botswana
| | | | | | | | - Teko Matsuru
- Botswana Harvard Health Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Matshwenyego Boitswarelo
- Department of Health Systems Management, Clinical Services, Ministry of Health Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Mogomotsi Matshaba
- Botswana-Baylor Children's Clinical Centre of Excellence, Gaborone, Botswana
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Tendani Gaolathe
- Botswana Harvard Health Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Mosepele Mosepele
- Botswana Harvard Health Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Joseph Makhema
- Botswana Harvard Health Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Trevor J M Tamura
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jonathan Z Li
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Roger Shapiro
- Botswana Harvard Health Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Shahin Lockman
- Botswana Harvard Health Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Simani Gaseitsiwe
- Botswana Harvard Health Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sikhulile Moyo
- Botswana Harvard Health Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
- School of Applied Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- School of Health Systems and Public Health, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Division of Medical Virology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
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3
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Anderson M, Phinius BB, Phakedi BK, Mudanga M, Bhebhe LN, Tlhabano GN, Motshosi P, Ratsoma T, Baruti K, Mpebe G, Choga WT, Marlink R, Glebe D, Blackard JT, Moyo S, Kramvis A, Gaseitsiwe S. Persistence and risk factors of occult hepatitis B virus infections among antiretroviral therapy-naïve people living with HIV in Botswana. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1342862. [PMID: 38784816 PMCID: PMC11112038 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1342862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Aim This study aimed to determine the kinetics of occult hepatitis B virus infections (OBI) among people with HIV (PWH). Methods The study used archived plasma samples from longitudinal HIV natural history studies. We identified new OBI cases and assessed risk factors for OBI using Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. Results At baseline, 8 of 382 [(2.1%) (95% CI: 1.06-4.1)] samples tested positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg+). Of the 374 HBsAg-negative samples, 76 had sufficient sample volume for HBV DNA screening. OBI positivity (OBI+) at baseline was reported in 11 of 76 [14.7 95% CI (8.3-24.1)] HBsAg-negative (HBsAg-) participants. Baseline HBsAg-negative samples with sufficient follow-up samples (n = 90) were used for analysis of newly identified OBI cases. Participants contributed 129.74 person-years to the study and were followed for a median of 1.02 years (IQR: 1.00-2.00). Cumulatively, there were 34 newly identified OBI cases from the 90 participants, at the rate of 26.2/100 person-years (95% CI: 18.7-36.7). Newly identified OBI cases were more common among men than women (61.1% vs. 31.9%) and among participants with CD4+ T-cell counts ≤450 cells/mL (p-value = 0.02). Most of the newly identified OBI cases [55.9% (19/34)] were possible reactivations as they were previously HBV core antibody positive. Conclusion There was a high rate of newly identified OBI among young PWH in Botswana, especially in men and in participants with lower CD4+ T-cell counts. OBI screening in PWH should be considered because of the risk of transmission, possible reactivation, and risk factors for the development of chronic liver disease, including hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Motswedi Anderson
- Research Laboratory, Botswana Harvard Health Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Bonolo B. Phinius
- Research Laboratory, Botswana Harvard Health Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
- School of Allied Health Professions, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
| | | | - Mbatshi Mudanga
- Botswana – University of Maryland School of Medicine Health Initiative, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Lynnette N. Bhebhe
- Research Laboratory, Botswana Harvard Health Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Girlie N. Tlhabano
- Research Laboratory, Botswana Harvard Health Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Patience Motshosi
- Research Laboratory, Botswana Harvard Health Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Tsholofelo Ratsoma
- Research Laboratory, Botswana Harvard Health Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Kabo Baruti
- Research Laboratory, Botswana Harvard Health Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Gorata Mpebe
- Research Laboratory, Botswana Harvard Health Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Wonderful T. Choga
- Research Laboratory, Botswana Harvard Health Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
- School of Allied Health Professions, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Richard Marlink
- Research Laboratory, Botswana Harvard Health Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
- Rutgers Global Health Institute, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, United States
| | - Dieter Glebe
- Institute of Medical Virology, National Reference Centre for Hepatitis B Viruses and Hepatitis D Viruses, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Jason T. Blackard
- Division of Digestive Diseases, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Sikhulile Moyo
- Research Laboratory, Botswana Harvard Health Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
- School of Allied Health Professions, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
- Division of Medical Virology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Cape Town, South Africa
- School of Health Systems and Public Health, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Anna Kramvis
- Hepatitis Virus Diversity Research Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Simani Gaseitsiwe
- Research Laboratory, Botswana Harvard Health Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
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4
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Maepa MB, Ely A, Kramvis A, Bloom K, Naidoo K, Simani OE, Maponga TG, Arbuthnot P. Hepatitis B Virus Research in South Africa. Viruses 2022; 14:v14091939. [PMID: 36146747 PMCID: PMC9503375 DOI: 10.3390/v14091939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite being vaccine-preventable, hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains the seventh leading cause of mortality in the world. In South Africa (SA), over 1.9 million people are chronically infected with HBV, and 70% of all Black chronic carriers are infected with HBV subgenotype A1. The virus remains a significant burden on public health in SA despite the introduction of an infant immunization program implemented in 1995 and the availability of effective treatment for chronic HBV infection. In addition, the high prevalence of HIV infection amplifies HBV replication, predisposes patients to chronicity, and complicates management of the infection. HBV research has made significant progress leading to better understanding of HBV epidemiology and management challenges in the SA context. This has led to recent revision of the national HBV infection management guidelines. Research on developing new vaccines and therapies is underway and progress has been made with designing potentially curative gene therapies against HBV. This review summarizes research carried out in SA on HBV molecular biology, epidemiology, treatment, and vaccination strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohube B. Maepa
- Wits/SAMRC Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, Infectious Diseases and Oncology Research Institute (IDORI), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa
- Correspondence:
| | - Abdullah Ely
- Wits/SAMRC Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, Infectious Diseases and Oncology Research Institute (IDORI), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa
| | - Anna Kramvis
- Hepatitis Diversity Research Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Clinical Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa
| | - Kristie Bloom
- Wits/SAMRC Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, Infectious Diseases and Oncology Research Institute (IDORI), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa
| | - Kubendran Naidoo
- Wits/SAMRC Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, Infectious Diseases and Oncology Research Institute (IDORI), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa
- National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa
| | - Omphile E. Simani
- HIV and Hepatitis Research Unit, Department of Virology, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria 0204, South Africa
| | - Tongai G. Maponga
- Division of Medical Virology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town 7602, South Africa
| | - Patrick Arbuthnot
- Wits/SAMRC Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, Infectious Diseases and Oncology Research Institute (IDORI), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa
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5
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Olagbenro M, Anderson M, Gaseitsiwe S, Powell EA, Gededzha MP, Selabe SG, Blackard JT. In silico analysis of mutations associated with occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in South Africa. Arch Virol 2021; 166:3075-3084. [PMID: 34468889 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-021-05196-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Occult hepatitis B virus (OBI) infection is defined by the presence of viral DNA in the liver and/or serum in absence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). While multiple studies have identified mutations that are associated with OBI, only a small portion of these mutations have been functionally characterized in vitro. Using complementary in silico approaches, the effects of OBI-associated amino acid mutations on HBV protein function in HBV/HIV-positive ART-naïve South Africans were evaluated. Two OBI-associated mutations in the PreS1 region, one in the PreS2 region, and seven in the surface region of subgenotype A1 sequences were identified as deleterious. In subgenotype A2 sequences, 11 OBI-associated mutations in the PreS1 region, seven in the PreS2 region, and 31 in the surface region were identified as deleterious. In the polymerase region, 14 OBI-associated mutations in subgenotype A1 and 71 OBI-associated mutations in subgenotype A2 were identified as deleterious. This study utilized in silico approaches to characterize the likely impact of OBI-associated mutations on viral function, thereby identifying and prioritizing candidates and reducing the significant cost associated with functional studies that are essential for mechanistic studies of the OBI phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Olagbenro
- Division of Digestive Diseases, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, ML 0595, Albert Sabin Way, Cincinnati, OH, 45267-0595, USA
| | | | | | - Eleanor A Powell
- Division of Digestive Diseases, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, ML 0595, Albert Sabin Way, Cincinnati, OH, 45267-0595, USA.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Maemu P Gededzha
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Haematology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand and National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa.,HIV and Hepatitis Research Unit, Department of Virology, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University and National Health Laboratory Service, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Selokela G Selabe
- HIV and Hepatitis Research Unit, Department of Virology, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University and National Health Laboratory Service, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Jason T Blackard
- Division of Digestive Diseases, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, ML 0595, Albert Sabin Way, Cincinnati, OH, 45267-0595, USA. .,HIV and Hepatitis Research Unit, Department of Virology, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University and National Health Laboratory Service, Pretoria, South Africa.
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6
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Souda S, Mwita JC, Cainelli F, Mannathoko NB, Anderson M, Moyo S. Seroprevalence and risk factors of hepatitis B, C and D virus infection amongst patients with features of hepatitis in a referral hospital in Botswana: A cross-sectional study. S Afr J Infect Dis 2021. [DOI: 10.4102/sajid.v36i1.275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
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7
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Kasprowicz VO, Chopera D, Waddilove KD, Brockman MA, Gilmour J, Hunter E, Kilembe W, Karita E, Gaseitsiwe S, Sanders EJ, Ndung'u T. African-led health research and capacity building- is it working? BMC Public Health 2020; 20:1104. [PMID: 32664891 PMCID: PMC7359480 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-08875-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Africa bears a disproportionately high burden of globally significant disease but has lagged in knowledge production to address its health challenges. In this contribution, we discuss the challenges and approaches to health research capacity strengthening in sub-Saharan Africa and propose that the recent shift to an African-led approach is the most optimal. Methods and findings We introduce several capacity building approaches and recent achievements, explore why African-led research on the continent is a potentially paradigm-shifting and innovative approach, and discuss the advantages and challenges thereof. We reflect on the approaches used by the African Academy of Sciences (AAS)-funded Sub-Saharan African Network for TB/HIV Research Excellence (SANTHE) consortium as an example of an effective African-led science and capacity building programme. We recommend the following as crucial components of future efforts: 1. Directly empowering African-based researchers, 2. Offering quality training and career development opportunities to large numbers of junior African scientists and support staff, and 3. Effective information exchange and collaboration. Furthermore, we argue that long-term investment from international donors and increasing funding commitments from African governments and philanthropies will be needed to realise a critical mass of local capacity and to create and sustain world-class research hubs that will be conducive to address Africa’s intractable health challenges. Conclusions Our experiences so far suggest that African-led research has the potential to overcome the vicious cycle of brain-drain and may ultimately lead to improvement of health and science-led economic transformation of Africa into a prosperous continent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria O Kasprowicz
- Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, South Africa.,HIV Pathogenesis Programme, The Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Denis Chopera
- Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, South Africa
| | | | - Mark A Brockman
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada.,Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada.,British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - Eric Hunter
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Rwanda Zambia Emory HIV Research Group, Zambia; Kigali, Rwanda and Emory University, Atlanta, USA
| | - William Kilembe
- Rwanda Zambia Emory HIV Research Group, Zambia; Kigali, Rwanda and Emory University, Atlanta, USA
| | - Etienne Karita
- Rwanda Zambia Emory HIV Research Group, Zambia; Kigali, Rwanda and Emory University, Atlanta, USA
| | - Simani Gaseitsiwe
- Botswana-Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana.,Department of Immunology & Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eduard J Sanders
- Kenyan Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya.,Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, Centre for Clinical Vaccinology and Tropical Medicine, University of Oxford, Headington, UK
| | - Thumbi Ndung'u
- Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, South Africa. .,HIV Pathogenesis Programme, The Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa. .,Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA. .,Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Berlin, Germany. .,Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK.
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Choga WT, Anderson M, Zumbika E, Phinius BB, Mbangiwa T, Bhebhe LN, Baruti K, Kimathi PO, Seatla KK, Musonda RM, Bell TG, Moyo S, Blackard JT, Gaseitsiwe S. In Silico Prediction of Human Leukocytes Antigen (HLA) Class II Binding Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Peptides in Botswana. Viruses 2020; 12:E731. [PMID: 32640609 PMCID: PMC7412261 DOI: 10.3390/v12070731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the primary cause of liver-related malignancies worldwide, and there is no effective cure for chronic HBV infection (CHB) currently. Strong immunological responses induced by T cells are associated with HBV clearance during acute infection; however, the repertoire of epitopes (epi) presented by major histocompatibility complexes (MHCs) to elicit these responses in various African populations is not well understood. In silico approaches were used to map and investigate 15-mers HBV peptides restricted to 9 HLA class II alleles with high population coverage in Botswana. Sequences from 44 HBV genotype A and 48 genotype D surface genes (PreS/S) from Botswana were used. Of the 1819 epi bindings predicted, 20.2% were strong binders (SB), and none of the putative epi bind to all the 9 alleles suggesting that multi-epitope, genotype-based, population-based vaccines will be more effective against HBV infections as opposed to previously proposed broad potency epitope-vaccines which were assumed to work for all alleles. In total, there were 297 unique epi predicted from the 3 proteins and amongst, S regions had the highest number of epi (n = 186). Epitope-densities (Depi) between genotypes A and D were similar. A number of mutations that hindered HLA-peptide binding were observed. We also identified antigenic and genotype-specific peptides with characteristics that are well suited for the development of sensitive diagnostic kits. This study identified candidate peptides that can be used for developing multi-epitope vaccines and highly sensitive diagnostic kits against HBV infection in an African population. Our results suggest that viral variability may hinder HBV peptide-MHC binding, required to initiate a cascade of immunological responses against infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wonderful Tatenda Choga
- Research Laboratory, Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone 0000, Botswana; (W.T.C.); (M.A.); (B.B.P.); (T.M.); (L.N.B.); (K.B.); (K.K.S.); (R.M.M.); (S.M.)
- Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Motswedi Anderson
- Research Laboratory, Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone 0000, Botswana; (W.T.C.); (M.A.); (B.B.P.); (T.M.); (L.N.B.); (K.B.); (K.K.S.); (R.M.M.); (S.M.)
| | - Edward Zumbika
- Department of Applied Biology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Applied Sciences, National University of Science and Technology, Bulawayo 0000, Zimbabwe;
| | - Bonolo B. Phinius
- Research Laboratory, Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone 0000, Botswana; (W.T.C.); (M.A.); (B.B.P.); (T.M.); (L.N.B.); (K.B.); (K.K.S.); (R.M.M.); (S.M.)
| | - Tshepiso Mbangiwa
- Research Laboratory, Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone 0000, Botswana; (W.T.C.); (M.A.); (B.B.P.); (T.M.); (L.N.B.); (K.B.); (K.K.S.); (R.M.M.); (S.M.)
- Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Lynnette N. Bhebhe
- Research Laboratory, Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone 0000, Botswana; (W.T.C.); (M.A.); (B.B.P.); (T.M.); (L.N.B.); (K.B.); (K.K.S.); (R.M.M.); (S.M.)
| | - Kabo Baruti
- Research Laboratory, Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone 0000, Botswana; (W.T.C.); (M.A.); (B.B.P.); (T.M.); (L.N.B.); (K.B.); (K.K.S.); (R.M.M.); (S.M.)
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Botswana, Gaborone 0000, Botswana
| | | | - Kaelo K. Seatla
- Research Laboratory, Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone 0000, Botswana; (W.T.C.); (M.A.); (B.B.P.); (T.M.); (L.N.B.); (K.B.); (K.K.S.); (R.M.M.); (S.M.)
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Botswana, Gaborone 0000, Botswana
| | - Rosemary M. Musonda
- Research Laboratory, Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone 0000, Botswana; (W.T.C.); (M.A.); (B.B.P.); (T.M.); (L.N.B.); (K.B.); (K.K.S.); (R.M.M.); (S.M.)
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Trevor Graham Bell
- Independent Researcher, P.O. Box 497, Wits, Johannesburg 2050, South Africa;
| | - Sikhulile Moyo
- Research Laboratory, Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone 0000, Botswana; (W.T.C.); (M.A.); (B.B.P.); (T.M.); (L.N.B.); (K.B.); (K.K.S.); (R.M.M.); (S.M.)
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jason T. Blackard
- Division of Digestive Diseases, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA;
| | - Simani Gaseitsiwe
- Research Laboratory, Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone 0000, Botswana; (W.T.C.); (M.A.); (B.B.P.); (T.M.); (L.N.B.); (K.B.); (K.K.S.); (R.M.M.); (S.M.)
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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