Different evolutionary rates and epidemic growth of hepatitis B virus genotypes A and D.
The epidemiological history of HBV genotypes A and D and subgenotypes A2 and D3 was studied on 132 isolates drawn between 1980 and 2005 from patients living in a homogenous geographical area. Evolutionary rates and divergence dates were estimated and HBV demographic history was reconstructed by using a statistical approach based on coalescent theory. The evolutionary rate of A2 was significantly lower than that of D3. The growth rate of D3 epidemic was significantly faster than that of A2; both subgenotypes showed a decreasing growth rate from the mid-1980s. Our data suggest that the important discrepancies observed in the evolutionary rates of HBV genotypes A and D may reflect different population dynamics of their epidemics. These results show the usefulness of phylodynamic studies in reconstructing the history of epidemics due to highly variable DNA viruses, and in evaluating the long-term efficacy of prophylactic measures.
Zehender
Gianguglielmo
G
Department of Clinical Sciences Luigi Sacco, Section of Infectious Diseases, University of Milan, Milan, Italy. gianguglielmo.zehender@unimi.it
De Maddalena
Chiara
C
Giambelli
Camilla
C
Milazzo
Laura
L
Schiavini
Monica
M
Bruno
Raffaele
R
Tanzi
Elisabetta
E
Galli
Massimo
M
D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D014644:Genetic Variation; D016679:Genome, Viral; D005838:Genotype; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D010802:Phylogeny; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*
D014764:Viral Proteins