Phylogenetic analysis of the first complete hepatitis E virus (HEV) genome from Africa.
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is globally distributed, transmitted enterically and between humans and animals. Phylogenetic analysis has identified five distinct HEV genotypes. The first full-length sequence of an African strain (Chad) is presented and compared to 31 complete HEV genomes available, including the fulminant hepatitis strain from India, swine strains and a strain from Morocco. The two African strains are more closely related to genotype 1 than to any other genotypes and together they possibly form a sub-genotype or sixth genotype. The first evidence for recombination between divergent HEV strains is presented.
van Cuyck
Hélène
H
Weapons of Mass Destruction Centre (WMD Centre), NATO, AB310, Bd. Leopold III, 1110, Brussels, Belgium. h.vancuyck@skynet.be
Juge
François
F
Roques
Pierre
P
D002596:Chad; D005243:Feces / Q000821:virology; D016679:Genome, Viral; D005838:Genotype; D016751:Hepatitis E / Q000821:virology*; D016752:Hepatitis E virus / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
D012367:RNA, Viral