title: A recent epidemiological cluster of acute hepatitis B genotype F1b infection in a restricted geographical area of Italy.
abstract: In this study, by phylogenetic analysis, we identified an epidemiological cluster involving eight individuals diagnosed with acute hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection related to unprotected sexual intercourse in a restricted area of central Italy (time period: 2011-2014). Notably, these patients (six of eight Italians) were infected by subgenotype F1b, which is not commonly found in western countries. Ultra-deep pyrosequencing confirmed a superimposable composition of HBV quasi-species in these patients. Despite the availability of effective vaccination, this study highlights the importance of not underestimating the risk of HBV infection, of continuing to set up surveillance programmes for HBV infection, and of investigating the pathogenetic potential of these atypical genotypes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pollicita
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Alteri
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Bellocchi
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Armenia
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Carioti
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Salpini
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Colagrossi
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Battisti
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aragri
authors.affiliation: INMI 'L. Spallanzani', Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fabeni
authors.affiliation: 'S. S. Filippo e Nicola' Hospital, Infectious Disease Unit, Avezzano, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mariani
authors.affiliation: 'S. S. Filippo e Nicola' Hospital, Infectious Disease Unit, Avezzano, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dalessandro
authors.affiliation: 'S. S. Filippo e Nicola' Hospital, Infectious Disease Unit, Avezzano, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ranelli
authors.affiliation: 'S. S. Filippo e Nicola' Hospital, Infectious Disease Unit, Avezzano, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Paoloni
authors.affiliation: 'Spirito Santo' Hospital, Infectious Disease Unit, Pescara, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Parruti
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Perno
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy. Electronic address: valentina.svicher@uniroma2.it.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Svicher
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics*; D059014:High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010802:Phylogeny; D058974:Phylogeography; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D015229:Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral
keywords: Acute infection; HBV; epidemiological cluster; genotype; vaccine