Detection and genotyping of GB virus-C in dromedary camels in the United Arab Emirates.
GB virus-C/hepatitis G virus (GBV-C/HGV), collectively known as GBV-C, is widely spread and was discovered while searching for a causative agent for non-A-E hepatitis. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of infection and genotypic characteristics of GBV-C in Arabian camels in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A total of 22 blood and 8 milk samples from healthy camels were screened using RT-PCR/nested PCR of the 5'-untranslated region (UTR). Phylogenetic analysis was conducted by sequencing the UTR region of randomly picked clones. The results obtained showed that the rate of GBV-C infection in camels was 18.2% (4 out of 22). All camels milk samples tested negative. Sequence analysis of the 5'-UTR using isolates from the 4 camels revealed the prevalence of the European/North American genotype 2 when compared to the 6 reference genotypes in GenBank.
Abu Odeh
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College of Health Sciences, Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. abuodeh@sharjah.ac.ae
D000818:Animals; D002162:Camelus; D029407:GB virus C / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005838:Genotype; D006524:Hepatitis, Viral, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D015995:Prevalence; D014479:United Arab Emirates / Q000453:epidemiology; D020506:Untranslated Regions / Q000235:genetics
D020506:Untranslated Regions