Prevalence, whole genome characterization and phylogenetic analysis of hepatitis B virus in captive orangutan and gibbon.
BACKGROUND
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a public health problem worldwide and apart from infecting humans, HBV has been found in non-human primates.


METHODS
We subjected 93 non-human primates comprising 12 species to ELISA screening for the serological markers HBsAg, antiHBs and antiHBc. Subsequently, we detected HBV DNA, sequenced the whole HBV genome and performed phylogenetic analysis.


RESULTS
HBV infection was detected in gibbon (4/15) and orangutan (7/53). HBV DNA isolates from two gibbons and seven orangutans were chosen for complete genome amplification. We aligned the Pre-S/S, Pre-C/C and entire genomes with HBV sequences and performed phylogenetic analysis. The gibbon and orangutan viruses clustered within their respective groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Both geographic location and host species influence which HBV variants are found in gibbons and orangutans. Hence, HBV transmission between humans and non-human primates might be a distinct possibility and additional studies will be required to further investigate this potential risk.
Sa-nguanmoo
Pattaratida
P
Center of Excellence in Clinical Virology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Thongmee
Chittima
C
Ratanakorn
Parntep
P
Pattanarangsan
Rattapan
R
Boonyarittichaikij
Roschong
R
Chodapisitkul
Somchai
S
Theamboonlers
Apiradee
A
Tangkijvanich
Pisit
P
Poovorawan
Yong
Y
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D018420:Ape Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D001483:Base Sequence; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000662:veterinary*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D006922:Hylobates; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D011148:Pongo pygmaeus; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
D004279:DNA, Viral; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens