Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026
Laparoscopic Technique for Serial Collection of Liver and Mesenteric Lymph Nodes in Macaques
Published on: May 2, 2017
New Window Into Hepatitis B in Africa: Liver Sampling Combined With Single-Cell Omics Enables Deep and Longitudinal
Taonga Musonda1, Michael S Wallace2, Hailey Patel2
1Tropical Gastroenterology and Nutrition Group, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.
Abstract:
In Lusaka, Zambia, we introduced liver fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) into a research cohort of adults with treatment-naive chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, with and without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection, as well as with acute HBV infection. From 117 enrollment and 47 longitudinal FNABs (at 1-year follow-up), we established participant acceptability and safety. We also demonstrated the quality of the material through single-cell RNA sequencing of selected enrollment FNAs, which revealed a range of immune cells. This approach can drive new insights into HBV immunology, informing cure strategies, and can improve our understanding of HBV natural history in Africa.
