Near-Full-Length Hepatitis B Virus Genomes Isolated from Cerebrospinal Fluid of People Living with HIV and Cryptococcal Meningitis in Botswana

Background/Objectives: Increasing evidence suggests that the hepatitis B virus (HBV) can be detected in extrahepatic compartments. Data on the molecular characteristics of HBV in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) remain limited, particularly among people living with HIV (PLWH) and cryptococcal meningitis (CM). This study aimed to characterize HBV genomes from plasma and CSF and compare paired sequences for genetic similarity and potential compartment-specific differences.