title: Forensic application of Epstein-Barr virus genotype: correlation between viral genotype and geographical area.
abstract: Using 50 forensic blood samples, the latent membrane protein 2A (LMP-2A) gene of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA was amplified to find a geographic correlation among the EBV genotypes. EBV DNA was detected in nine samples. From a phylogenetic analysis using 18 reported sequences as a reference, six EBV subtypes (Ia, Ib, Ic IIa, IIb, and IIc) were found. Japanese isolates were included in subtypes Ia or IIa. All the Asian reference isolates, except isolate D6, were included in subtype Ia or IIa. Mediterranean, an Alaskan and other African isolates were included in types Ib, Ic, IIb and IIc. The EBV genotype in the LMP-2A gene was thus demonstrated as being correlated with the host's geographical location. Typing in the EBV-associated nuclear antigen 2 gene was not related to that in the LMP-2A gene. Detection of the EBV genotype in the LMP-2A gene may be useful for determining the geographical origins of unidentified cadavers.
authors.affiliation: National Research Institute of Police Science, Chiba 277-0882, Japan. ikegaya-tky@umin.ac.jp
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ikegaya
authors.forename: Hisako
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Motani
authors.forename: Koichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sakurada
authors.forename: Keita
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sato
authors.forename: Tomoko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Akutsu
authors.forename: Mineo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yoshino
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010802:Phylogeny; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral