Genetic analysis of wild-type hepatitis A virus strains.
OBJECTIVE
To clarify the distribution of hepatitis A virus (HAV) genotype in geographical regions of China.


METHODS
Seventeen representative HAV strains were isolated from the stool or serum of hepatitis A patients in different geographical regions. Viral RNA was recovered from stool or serum by proteinase K digestion and phenol-chloroform extraction, followed by ethanol precipitation prior to reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) amplification. The nucleotide sequences of VP1/2A junction region were tested by using a direct sequencing technique.


RESULTS
A pairwise comparison of sequences within 168 bases at the VP1/2A junction revealed that all the sequences clustered within genotype I. About 53% of strains clustered in genotype I B, with less than 6% variability; while the others clustered in genotype I A, with less than 5.3% variability. Sequence homology between genotype I A and I B varied from 88.7% to 92.3%.


CONCLUSIONS
Epidemic or sporadic HAV strains in China may belong to HAV genotype I A or I B. Epidemiologically related strains may be identical or closely related in sequence.
Chen
Y
Y
Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, 60 Tian Mu Shan Road, Hangzhou 310013, China.
Mao
J
J
Hong
Y
Y
Yang
L
L
Ling
Z
Z
Yu
W
W
D005838:Genotype; D030041:Hepatitis A virus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction