Detection and genotyping of GBV-C virus in the United Arab Emirates.
GB virus-C/Hepatitis G virus (GBV-C/HGV), collectively known as GBV-C, is spread widely and has been reported to be associated with non A-E hepatitis. The aim of the current project was to determine the rate of infection and genotypic characteristics of GBV-C in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A total of 379 plasma/serum samples representing different populations in the UAE and comprising healthy as well as patients positive for HBV and HCV were screened using RT-PCR/nested PCR of the 5'-untranslated region (UTR). National subjects (n=168) and non-nationals residing in the UAE (n=211) were tested. The results obtained showed that the rate of GBV-C infection in healthy nationals, and those positive for HCV or HBV were 11.1%, 14.3%, and 5.7%, respectively, compared to 8.3%, 33.3%, and 8.6%, respectively, in non-nationals. No statistically significant correlation between infection with GBV-C and HCV or HBV (P>0.05) was found. Sequence analysis of the 5'-UTR using 37 and 46 clones from 8 and 6 healthy nationals and non-nationals, respectively, revealed the prevalence of the European/North American genotype 2 when compared to the five reference genotypes in GenBank.
Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. abuodeh@sharjah.ac.ae
Raed O
RO
Abu Odeh
Moslih I
MI
Al-Moslih
Mohammed Wafi
MW
Al-Jokhdar
Sinda A
SA
Ezzeddine
D020121:5' Untranslated Regions / Q000235:genetics; D018178:Flaviviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*; D029407:GB virus C / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005838:Genotype; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000821:virology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015995:Prevalence; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012307:Risk Factors; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D014479:United Arab Emirates / Q000453:epidemiology
D020121:5' Untranslated Regions; D012367:RNA, Viral