Mapping Hepatitis B Virus Research and Genomic Diversity in Latin America and the Caribbean

Background: Hepatitis B (HBV) infection remains a major public health challenge in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), a region characterized by disparities in re-search capacity and limited molecular surveillance. A comprehensive assessment of research output and viral genetic diversity is crucial for informing region-specific control strategies. Methods: An integrated analysis combining bibliometrics, text-mining, and genomics was performed on HBV-related publications indexed in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (1970–2024), along with 9,528 HBV nucleotide sequences from GenBank. Results: The study identified 4,083 publications, of which 72.1% (2,942) originated from Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina. Most were original articles (75.8%; 2,749/3,628) and involved human subjects (95.8%; 2,471/2,580), with a primary focus on serological markers, co-infections, vaccination, genotype characterization, liver pathology, and transfusion safety. Conversely, hepatocellular carcinoma, antiviral therapy, and met-abolic comorbidities were notably underrepresented. In vitro studies were limited, primarily examining viral replication, disease mechanisms, and gene expression, whereas animal studies focused on vaccine development, infection dynamics, and immune responses. Phylogenetic analysis identified eight circulating HBV genotypes (A–H), with genotypes A (43.4%; 4,138/9,528), F (29.3%; 2,787/9,528), and D (19.8%; 1,885/9,528) predominating. Genotype H was found mainly in Mexico (3.2%; 306/9,528). Notably, non-A genotypes accounted for most infections and showed dis-tinct geographic clustering (p < 0.001). Conclusion: HBV research in LAC is marked by pronounced regional disparities in scientific output, critical gaps in experimental and clinical research, and high viral di-versity. These findings underscore the need to strengthen regional research capacity and develop targeted strategies for HBV prevention, treatment, and vaccination to achieve hepatitis B elimination in the region.