title: A third genotype of the human parvovirus PARV4 in sub-Saharan Africa.
abstract: PARV4 is a recently discovered human parvovirus widely distributed in injecting drug users in the USA and Europe, particularly in those co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Like parvovirus B19, PARV4 persists in previously exposed individuals. In bone marrow and lymphoid tissue, PARV4 sequences were detected in two sub-Saharan African study subjects with AIDS but without a reported history of parenteral exposure and who were uninfected with hepatitis C virus. PARV4 variants infecting these subjects were phylogenetically distinct from genotypes 1 and 2 (formerly PARV5) that were reported previously. Analysis of near-complete genome sequences demonstrated that they should be classified as a third (equidistant) PARV4 genotype. The availability of a further near-complete genome sequence of this novel genotype facilitated identification of conserved novel open reading frames embedded in the ORF2 coding sequence; one encoded a putative protein with identifiable homology to SAT proteins of members of the genus Parvovirus.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Infectious Diseases, University of Edinburgh, Summerhall, Edinburgh EH9 1QH, UK.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Simmonds
authors.affiliation: Centre for Infectious Diseases, University of Edinburgh, Summerhall, Edinburgh EH9 1QH, UK.
authors.forename: Jill
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Douglas
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine and Pathology Departments, Luigi Sacco Hospital, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bestetti
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine and Pathology Departments, Luigi Sacco Hospital, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Longhi
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine and Pathology Departments, Luigi Sacco Hospital, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Spinello
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Antinori
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine and Pathology Departments, Luigi Sacco Hospital, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Parravicini
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine and Pathology Departments, Luigi Sacco Hospital, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Corbellino