Genetic variability of hepatitis A virus in South America reveals heterogeneity and co-circulation during epidemic outbreaks.
Genetic analysis of selected genome regions of hepatitis A virus (HAV) suggested that distinct genotypes of HAV could be found in different geographical regions. In order to gain insight into the genetic variability and mode of evolution of HAV in South America, an analysis was performed of sequence data obtained from the VP1 amino terminus and the VP1/2A region of HAV strains isolated over a short period of time in Uruguay, Argentina and Chile. Sequences obtained from 22 distinct HAV isolates were compared with published sequences from 21 different strains isolated all over the world. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all strains isolated belong to a unique sub-genotype (IA). Strains isolated during an outbreak period showed a higher degree of heterogeneity than anticipated previously and the co-circulation of different isolates. The genetic variability among strains isolated in this region seems to be higher in comparison with strains isolated in other regions of the world.
Costa-Mattioli
Mauro
M
Departamento de Técnicas Nucleares Aplicadas, Centro de Investigaciones Nucleares, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Iguá 4225, 11400 Montevideo, Uruguay2.|Laboratorie de Virologie, Institut de Biologie, Centre Hospitalier Regional Universitaire de Nantes, Rue Quai Moncousu 9, 44093 Nantes, France1.
Ferre
Virginie
V
Laboratorie de Virologie, Institut de Biologie, Centre Hospitalier Regional Universitaire de Nantes, Rue Quai Moncousu 9, 44093 Nantes, France1.
Monpoeho
Serge
S
Laboratorie de Virologie, Institut de Biologie, Centre Hospitalier Regional Universitaire de Nantes, Rue Quai Moncousu 9, 44093 Nantes, France1.
Garcia
Laura
L
Departamento de Técnicas Nucleares Aplicadas, Centro de Investigaciones Nucleares, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Iguá 4225, 11400 Montevideo, Uruguay2.
Colina
Rodney
R
Laboratorio de Biología Molecular, Asociación Española Primera de Socorros Mutuos, Boulevard Artigas 1465, 11200 Montevideo, Uruguay3.|Departamento de Técnicas Nucleares Aplicadas, Centro de Investigaciones Nucleares, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Iguá 4225, 11400 Montevideo, Uruguay2.
Billaudel
Sylviane
S
Laboratorie de Virologie, Institut de Biologie, Centre Hospitalier Regional Universitaire de Nantes, Rue Quai Moncousu 9, 44093 Nantes, France1.
Vega
Ines
I
Instituto de Hematologia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Austral de Chile, Casilla 567, Valdivia, Chile4.
Perez-Bercoff
Raul
R
Department of Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Rome La Sapienza, Viale di Porta Tiburtina 28, 00185 Roma, Italy5.
Cristina
Juan
J
Departamento de Técnicas Nucleares Aplicadas, Centro de Investigaciones Nucleares, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Iguá 4225, 11400 Montevideo, Uruguay2.
D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D017957:Hepatitis A Virus, Human / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D013020:South America / Q000453:epidemiology; D015678:Viral Structural Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics
C096539:VP1 protein, hepatitis A virus; D015678:Viral Structural Proteins