title: Evidence for extensive genotypic diversity and recombination of GB virus C (GBV-C) in Germany.
abstract: Multiple genotypes of GB virus C (GBV-C)-a non-pathogenic flavivirus-have been identified to date, although they are not uniformly distributed worldwide. It has also been suggested that GBV-C genotype may play a role in modulating HIV disease; however, the prevalence and genotype distribution of GBV-C has not been adequately studied in most countries. Among 408 HIV positive subjects in Germany, 97 (23.8%) had detectable GBV-C RNA. Based on sequencing of the 5' untranslated region (5'-UTR), the GBV-C genotypes were 1 (n=8; 8.2%), 2 (n=81; 83.5%), and 3 (n=2; 2.1%), as well as a unique genotype not previously reported (n=6; 6.2%). Among 17 samples also sequenced in the envelope 2 (E2) region, 14 had concordant genotype results when comparing the 5'-UTR and E2, while evidence of intergenotypic recombination was observed among E2 sequences from 3 individuals. These results suggest that genotypic diversity and viral recombination contribute to the overall genetic variability of GBV-C.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Neibecker
authors.forename: Carolynne
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schwarze-Zander
authors.forename: Jürgen K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Rockstroh
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Spengler
authors.forename: Jason T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Blackard
mesh_terms: D018178:Flaviviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D029407:GB virus C / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D015995:Prevalence; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA
chemical_list: D012367:RNA, Viral