Publication Highlight: An Oxford Nanopore Technology-Based Hepatitis B Virus Sequencing Protocol Suitable for Genomic Surveillance Within Clinical Diagnostic Settings
A new publication by our GenPath Africa colleagues Tongai Maponga, Gert Van Zyl, Wolfgang Preiser, Cheryl Baxter and Tulio de Oliveira from Stellenbosch University develops a new sequencing protocol for sequencing Hepatitis B Virus (HBV).
What is this publication about?
This research article introduces a protocol for sequencing the complete genome of the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) using Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT). The authors sequenced 148 samples from HBV-infected patients in South Africa, uncovering insights into HBV genetic diversity, recombination events, and the prevalence of drug resistance and vaccine escape mutations. The study highlights the potential of ONT-based sequencing to enhance HBV diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance in resource-limited settings.
Why is this important?
This study demonstrates that ONT sequencing can quickly and efficiently generate full-length HBV genomes, which is crucial for improving diagnosis and treatment. It is cost-effective, supports recombination-aware genotyping, and allows for the detection of drug resistance and immune escape mutations—essential for guiding treatment choices and developing new therapies and vaccines. High-throughput sequencing like ONT could become a routine tool for comprehensive, unbiased detection of infectious diseases in clinical settings.
How can this make a difference?
By generating full-length HBV genome sequences, this protocol can reveal clinically significant mutations, such as those associated with drug resistance and immune escape, helping clinicians make better-informed diagnostic and treatment decisions. It can also track HBV spread and monitor emerging strains, which is essential for public health officials developing prevention and control strategies. Additionally, the protocol’s cost-effectiveness and ease of use make it ideal for resource-limited settings, where HBV rates are high and access to advanced diagnostics is limited. By facilitating HBV surveillance and improving patient care in these regions, the protocol can contribute to reducing the global burden of HBV.
Derek Tshiabuila, Wonderful Choga, James E. San, Tongai Maponga, Gert Van Zyl, Jennifer Giandhari, Sureshnee Pillay, Wolfgang Preiser, Yeshnee Naidoo, Cheryl Baxter, Darren P. Martin, Tulio de Oliveira. "An Oxford Nanopore Technology-Based Hepatitis B Virus Sequencing Protocol Suitable for Genomic Surveillance Within Clinical Diagnostic Settings." International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 25(21): 11702, 31 October 2024. doi:10.3390/ijms252111702.
