Simultaneous persistence of multiple genome variants of human parvovirus B19.
The species human parvovirus B19 (B19V) can be divided into three genotypes. In this study, we addressed the question as to whether infection of an individual is restricted to one genotype. As viral DNA is detectable in tissue for long times after acute infection, we examined 87 liver specimens from adults for the presence of B19V DNA. Fifty-nine samples were found to be positive, 32 of them for genotype 1, 27 for genotype 2 and four for genotype 3. In four samples, DNA of two genotypes was detected; samples from three individuals were positive for genotypes 1 and 2 and a sample from one individual was positive for genotypes 1 and 3. Surprisingly, significant sequence heterogeneity was observed at approximately 1 % of the nucleotides of the genotype 1 genomes from individuals with double genotype 1 and 2 infection. Controls using different enzymes for genome amplification and dilutions of the template verified that nucleotide heterogeneity was due to the presence of three or more genome variants of genotype 1. In summary, the evidence shows that individuals can be infected with two different genotypes, and B19V DNA can persist as a population of different genomes. The results may have implications for the understanding of the antiviral immune response and the development of vaccines against B19V.
Schneider
Beate
B
Institute of Virology, University of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Straße 25, D-53105 Bonn, Germany.
Höne
Andrea
A
Institute of Virology, University of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Straße 25, D-53105 Bonn, Germany.
Tolba
René H
RH
Department of Surgery, University of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Straße 25, D-53105 Bonn, Germany.
Fischer
Hans-Peter
HP
Institute of Pathology, University of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Straße 25, D-53105 Bonn, Germany.
Blümel
Johannes
J
Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 51-59, D-63225 Langen, Germany.
Eis-Hübinger
Anna M
AM
Institute of Virology, University of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Straße 25, D-53105 Bonn, Germany.
D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D014644:Genetic Variation; D016679:Genome, Viral; D005838:Genotype; D006498:Hepatectomy; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000821:virology*; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016732:Parvovirus B19, Human / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics*; D010802:Phylogeny; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D014019:Tissue Donors
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D004279:DNA, Viral