Itzel A. Ruvalcaba
Current Organizations / Institutes
The organizations/institutes from the scholar's latest article
Research Subjects
Research Interests
Itzel A. Ruvalcaba has a total of 4 co-authors. Here are the top co-authors by number of shared publications:
- Adrián Alejandro Silva-Ríos
Licenciatura en Médico Cirujano y Partero, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Sierra Mojada No. 950, Col. Independencia, Guadalajara 44340, Mexico
1 shared publication - Carlos Daniel Diaz-Palomera
Laboratorio de Investigación en Cáncer e Infecciones, Departamento de Microbiología y Patología, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44340, Mexico
1 shared publication - José Francisco Muñoz-Valle
Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Biomédicas (IICB), Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico
1 shared publication - Oliver Viera-Segura
Instituto en Investigación en Ciencias Biomédicas, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44340, Mexico
1 shared publication
Latest Publications
- Open Access
- 16 August 2025
- Published by MDPI AG in Microorganisms
- Vol. 13 (8) , 1913
The Molecular Epidemiology of Hepatitis B Virus and Its Resistance-Associated Mutations in the Polymerase Gene in the Americas
The hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a DNA virus of major public health concern whose error-prone polymerase has driven the emergence of ten distinct genotypes and a multitude of resistance-associated mutations (RAMs). Herein, we conducted a retrospective observational study analyzing 8152 hepatitis B virus (HBV) sequences from 27 regions across the Americas, retrieved from GenBank, to construct a database and examine associations among HBV genotypes/subtypes, geographic distribution, resistance-associated mutations (RAMs), and resistance to nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs) used in the treatment of chronic infection. Following phylogenetic analysis, mutations at clinically relevant sites in the reverse transcriptase domain were identified and classified by resistance to NAs. Genotypes A (21.1% A2 and 14.7% A1) and D predominated across the retrieved database, whereas genotypes E, G, H, and I each accounted for fewer than 3% of the sequences. Among the sequences in the database, 10.6% harbored RAMs, with genotypes G, A, and H predominating in this category. The most frequently observed RAM was L180M + M204V/I, which is associated with resistance to LMV, ETV, and TBV, whereas resistance to ADV and TDF remained rare. Genotypes G and A2 were significantly associated with a higher likelihood of harboring multiple RAMs (as evaluated by logistic regression), along with an increased risk of resistance to LMV, ETV, and TBV; the opposite was true for subtype A1. Notably, genotypes H and B5 were associated with an elevated risk of TDF resistance. A comprehensive understanding of RAMs and circulating genotypes in the Americas is essential for identifying high-risk populations and establishing geographically targeted therapeutic strategies.
- 16 August 2025
- Published by MDPI AG in Microorganisms
- Vol. 13 (8) , 1913
Open AccessThe Molecular Epidemiology of Hepatitis B Virus and Its Resistance-Associated Mutations in the Polymerase Gene in the Americas
The hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a DNA virus of major public health concern whose error-prone polymerase has driven the emergence of ten distinct genotypes and a multitude of resistance-associated mutations (RAMs). Herein, we conducted a retrospective observational study analyzing 8152 hepatitis B virus (HBV) sequences from 27 regions across the Americas, retrieved from GenBank, to construct a database and examine associations among HBV genotypes/subtypes, geographic distribution, resistance-associated mutations (RAMs), and resistance to nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs) used in the treatment of chronic infection. Following phylogenetic analysis, mutations at clinically relevant sites in the reverse transcriptase domain were identified and classified by resistance to NAs. Genotypes A (21.1% A2 and 14.7% A1) and D predominated across the retrieved database, whereas genotypes E, G, H, and I each accounted for fewer than 3% of the sequences. Among the sequences in the database, 10.6% harbored RAMs, with genotypes G, A, and H predominating in this category. The most frequently observed RAM was L180M + M204V/I, which is associated with resistance to LMV, ETV, and TBV, whereas resistance to ADV and TDF remained rare. Genotypes G and A2 were significantly associated with a higher likelihood of harboring multiple RAMs (as evaluated by logistic regression), along with an increased risk of resistance to LMV, ETV, and TBV; the opposite was true for subtype A1. Notably, genotypes H and B5 were associated with an elevated risk of TDF resistance. A comprehensive understanding of RAMs and circulating genotypes in the Americas is essential for identifying high-risk populations and establishing geographically targeted therapeutic strategies.