HBV genotypic variability in Cuba.
The genetic diversity of HBV in human population is often a reflection of its genetic admixture. The aim of this study was to explore the genotypic diversity of HBV in Cuba. The S genomic region of Cuban HBV isolates was sequenced and for selected isolates the complete genome or precore-core sequence was analyzed. The most frequent genotype was A (167/250, 67%), mainly A2 (149, 60%) but also A1 and one A4. A total of 77 isolates were classified as genotype D (31%), with co-circulation of several subgenotypes (56 D4, 2 D1, 5 D2, 7 D3/6 and 7 D7). Three isolates belonged to genotype E, two to H and one to B3. Complete genome sequence analysis of selected isolates confirmed the phylogenetic analysis performed with the S region. Mutations or polymorphisms in precore region were more common among genotype D compared to genotype A isolates. The HBV genotypic distribution in this Caribbean island correlates with the Y lineage genetic background of the population, where a European and African origin prevails. HBV genotypes E, B3 and H isolates might represent more recent introductions.
Laboratorio de Virología Molecular, Centro de Microbiología y Biología Ceular, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas, Caracas, Venezuela.
Carmen L
CL
Loureiro
Centro de Ingeniería Genética y Biotecnología, La Habana, Cuba.
Julio C
JC
Aguilar
Centro de Ingeniería Genética y Biotecnología, La Habana, Cuba.
Jorge
J
Aguiar
Centro de Ingeniería Genética y Biotecnología, La Habana, Cuba.
Verena
V
Muzio
Centro de Ingeniería Genética y Biotecnología, La Habana, Cuba.
Eduardo
E
Pentón
Centro de Ingeniería Genética y Biotecnología, La Habana, Cuba.
Daymir
D
Garcia
Centro de Ingeniería Genética y Biotecnología, La Habana, Cuba.
Gerardo
G
Guillen
Laboratorio de Virología Molecular, Centro de Microbiología y Biología Ceular, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas, Caracas, Venezuela.
Flor H
FH
Pujol
D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D003462:Cuba; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D014644:Genetic Variation; D016679:Genome, Viral; D005838:Genotype; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny
D004279:DNA, Viral