Ongoing evolution of hepatitis B virus during viremia in patients with febrile in Central Africa

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains to be a major public health issue worldwide, although there is currently a safe vaccine and effective antiviral treatments. In surveillance of infectious diseases in Gabon, HBV viremia was detected in patients with febrile. Whole‐genome sequencing was conducted to characterize the HBV strains currently circulating in Gabon and to investigate HBV genome diversity during viremia. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the existence of former subgenotype A5, which exhibits a particular pattern of distribution from several West and Central African countries to Haiti. Furthermore, sequencing analysis identified two similar HBV strains mixed in one sample, and a very rare 1‐base pair insertion in the viral precore region. This insertion caused a frameshift mutation, indicating the production of an aberrant fusion protein of the HBV x and e antigens. Our data showed that the detected HBV strain was possibly in an “evolving” state during viremia, a phase of active replication. Highlight HBV viremia was detected in febrile patients in Gabon. Whole‐genome sequencing identified two similar HBV strains mixed in one sample. A very rare 1‐base pair insertion caused the production of aberrant fusion protein. The HBV strain was possibly in an "evolving" state, acquiring noevel mutations.