AN ORAL PRESENTATION ON BIOTECHNOLOGY

ON

HEPATITIS B TREATMENT USING BIOTECHNOLOGY

BY

SUNDAY DAMILOLA DEBORAH

MATRIC NUMBER: MCB/19/110

DERAPRTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES, SCHOOL OF SCIENCE, OLUSEGUN

AGAGU UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, OKITIPUPA, ONDO STATE.
JANUARY, 2024.
 Outlines
• Biotechnology
• Branches of Biotechnology
• The scope of biotechnology
• Hepatitis
• Hepatitis B
• Causes and risks of hepatitis B
• Symptoms of hepatitis B
• Prevention of hepatitis B
• Biotechnology and hepatitis B
• Hepatitis B treatment using Biotechnology
• Conclusion
• References
Biotechnology
The word biotechnology, etymologically, comes from Greek. “Bio” means
“life” and “logy” means “science”. The term “technology” refers to “skill,
art, or craft”, so it could be defined as a way of doing things that meets the
needs of people, through the application of scientifically organized know-
how. (Engineer Károly Ereki, 1919)
Branches of biotechnology
• Animal biotechnology
• Medical biotechnology
• Industrial biotechnolog
• Environmental biotechnology
• Plant biotechnology
The scopes of biotechnology
• To produce more food for the growing population using the available
land.
• To raise disease-resistant, high-yielding varieties of crops.
• To introduce harmless bio fertilizers instead of harmful chemical
fertilizers.
• To introduce biocides in agriculture.
• To preserve germplasm of plants, animals and microbes.
• To minimize pollution hazards.
Hepatitis and Hepatitis B
Hepatitis refers to an inflammatory condition of the liver. It is commonly the
result of a viral infection, but there are other possible causes of hepatitis. (Smith,
2019).
There are five main strains of the hepatitis virus, referred to as types A, B, C, D
and E. While they all cause liver disease, they differ in important ways including
modes of transmission, severity of the illness, geographical distribution and
prevention methods.(WHO, 2023)

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver. It is a potentially life-

threatening liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It is a major
global health problem; it can cause chronic infection and puts people at high risk
of death from cirrhosis and liver cancer.(WHO, 2021)
Causes and risks of hepatitis B
• Sexual contact: HBV is easily spread through sexual contact with an infected
person, especially through unprotected sex. This includes vaginal, anal, and oral
sex.
• Sharing needles: People who inject drugs and share needles are at high risk of
hepatitis B. This is because the virus can survive in a used needle for up to a week.
• Mother-to-child transmission: HBV can be passed from an infected mother to her
baby during childbirth. This is why all newborns are recommended to receive the
hepatitis B vaccine.
• Blood transfusions: In rare cases, hepatitis B can be transmitted through blood
transfusions or organ transplants. This is why it's important to donate blood or
organs from tested, uninfected individuals. (Charkavarti et al., 2012).
• Travel to areas with high rates of HBV: People who travel to areas with high rates
of HBV, such as parts of Asia and Africa, may be at increased risk of infection.
Symptoms of hepatitis B
Symptoms of a new HBV infection may not be apparent in children under 5 years of age or in adults with a
suppressed immune system. Among those of under 5 years and over, around 30–50% will show initial signs and
symptoms.
If HBV does cause symptoms early on, they may include:
●Fever
●joint pain
●fatigue
●nausea
●vomiting
●loss of appetite
●abdominal pain
●dark urine
●clay colored stools
●aundice, or yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes.
A person with a chronic HBV infection may have ongoing episodes of abdominal pain, persistent fatigue, and
aching joint.
Prevention of hepatitis B
• Get vaccinated: The most effective way to prevent hepatitis B is by getting vaccinated.
The hepatitis B vaccine is safe, effective, and widely available, and it provides long-
lasting protection against the virus.
• Practice safe sex: Use condoms or other barrier methods during sexual activity to
reduce the risk of HBV and other sexually transmitted infections.
• Avoid sharing needles: People who inject drugs should never share needles or other
drug-related equipment. If you do use injectable drugs, consider getting access to clean
needles and other harm reduction services.
• Be cautious when getting tattoos or piercings: Make sure to only get tattoos and
piercings from reputable, licensed establishments that use sterile equipment.
• Avoid unprotected sex with multiple partners: Limiting the number of sexual partners
and using barrier methods, such as condoms, can reduce the risk of HBV and other
sexually transmitted infections.
• Avoid sharing personal items: Do not share razors, toothbrushes, or other personal
items that may come into contact with blood.
 Biotechnology and hepatitis B
• Biotechnology has played a significant role in the development of treatments
and vaccines for Hepatitis B.
• One of the major advancements where biotechnology has made an impact in
the treatment of Hepatitis B has been the development of antiviral drugs, such
as lamivudine, adefovir, tenofovir, and entecavir which can suppress the virus
and slow the progression of liver disease. They work by targeting the HBV’s
ability to replicate and spread in the liver. They reduce liver inflammation and
improve liver function. These drugs have revolutionized the treatment of
Hepatitis B, making it possible for people with the virus to manage their
condition and prevent serious health complications. (Lok, 2007)
 Hepatis B treatment using biotechnology
1.Vaccination: The first line of defense against hepatitis B is vaccination. A series of
injections can prevent HBV infection and its progression to chronic liver disease. The
vaccine works by stimulating the immune system to produce antibodies against the
virus, providing long-lasting protection against HBV infection.
2.Antiviral drugs: For individuals who have already been infected with the virus, antiviral
drugs can be used to suppress HBV replication and reduce liver inflammation. These
drugs include lamivudine, adefovir, entecavir, and tenofovir, which work by blocking the
virus's ability to replicate and spread in the liver.
3.Monitoring using diagnostic tests: To monitor the effectiveness of treatment, regular
diagnostic tests are used to measure the amount of virus in the blood and assess the
health of the liver. Tests such as the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) test, hepatitis B
e antigen (HBeAg) test, and the hepatitis B virus DNA test, can provide important
information about the progression of the disease and the effectiveness of treatment.
 Conclusion
• Biotechnology has made a major impact on the treatment of hepatitis B. The
development of highly effective vaccines, antiviral drugs, and diagnostic tests
has greatly improved the prognosis for patients with this disease and has led to
a better understanding of its management. Biotechnology continues to
advance and there is much promise for the development of even more
effective treatments in the future.
• However, it is important to remember that while biotechnology has made
significant progress in the treatment of hepatitis B, there is still much work to
be done to find a cure for this disease and to improve outcomes for patients.
Further research and innovation in the field of biotechnology are necessary to
fully understand the underlying mechanisms of HBV infection and to develop
new and more effective treatments.