title: HDV genotypes in the Western Brazilian Amazon region: A preliminary report.
abstract: In Brazil, hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is only reported in Western Amazonia, where severe cases of acute and chronic HDV hepatitis have been described. The study area was chosen in the States of Acre and Rondonia where most cases of hepatitis B virus (HBV)/HDV are reported. From December 2003 to October 2004, 40 HBsAg carriers with anti-HDV IgM were selected. An epidemiologic questionnaire, including demographic and clinical/epidemiologic variables was filled out. HDV amplification and genotyping were performed. Genotype I was detected in 22 patients (55.0%), whereas genotype III was identified in 18 (45.0%). Patients who were infected with genotype I were older (45.1 +/- 17.8 years) than patients infected with genotype III (32.8 +/- 10.9 years; P = 0.01). No symptoms were reported by 21 (52.5%) patients. Otherwise, 19 (47.5%) had symptoms (fatigue, abdominal pain, weight loss, and decompensated liver disease) that motivated them to seek medical care. Genotype III carriers were more symptomatic, but no statistical significance was achieved. Our preliminary results show that HDV genotypes I and III are present in Brazilian Amazonia and that HDV genotype III is not limited to the Amerindian population.
authors.affiliation: Gonçalo Moniz Research Center, Salvador, Brazil; INSERM Unit 271, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, IFR 62, Lyon, France. rparana@ufba.br
authors.forename: Raymundo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Paraná
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kay
authors.forename: Felix
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Molinet
authors.forename: Sebastião
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Viana
authors.forename: Luciano Kalabric
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Juan Miguel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Salcedo
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tavares-Neto
authors.forename: Cirley
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lobato
authors.forename: Márcio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rios-Leite
authors.forename: Luciana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Matteoni
authors.forename: Argemiro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: D'Oliveira
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tauil
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Trépo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D002353:Carrier State; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000821:virology*; D003698:Hepatitis Delta Virus / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization