Molecular epidemiology of hepatitis B virus in Misiones, Argentina.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major public health problem worldwide. The aims of this study were to describe the molecular epidemiology of HBV in the Province of Misiones, Argentina and estimate the phylodynamic of the main groups in a Bayesian coalescent framework. To this end, partial or complete genome sequences were obtained from 52 blood donor candidates. The phylogenetic analysis based on partial sequences of S/P region showed a predominance of genotype D (65.4%), followed by genotype F (30.8%) and genotype A as a minority (3.8%). At subgenotype level, the circulation of subgenotypes D3 (42.3%), D2 (13.5%), F1b (11.5%) and F4 (9.6%) was mainly identified. The Bayesian coalescent analysis of 29 complete genome sequences for the main groups revealed that the subgenotypes D2 and D3 had several introductions to the region, with ancestors dating back from 1921 to 1969 and diversification events until the late '70s. The genotype F in Misiones has a more recent history; subgenotype F4 isolates were intermixed with sequences from Argentina and neighboring countries and only one significant cluster dated back in 1994 was observed. Subgenotype F1b isolates exhibited low genetic distance and formed a closely related monophyletic cluster, suggesting a very recent introduction. In conclusion, the phylogenetic and coalescent analyses showed that the European genotype D has a higher circulation, a longer history of diversification and may be responsible for the largest proportion of chronic HBV infections in the Province of Misiones. Genotype F, especially subgenotype F1b, had a more recent introduction and its diversification in the last 20years might be related to its involvement in new transmission events.
Cátedra de Virología, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Junín 956 4to Piso, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina. Electronic address: lmojsiejczuk@ffyb.uba.ar.
Laura Noelia
LN
Mojsiejczuk
Cátedra de Virología, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Junín 956 4to Piso, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina.
Carolina
C
Torres
Cátedra de Virología, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Junín 956 4to Piso, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica (ANPCyT), Argentina.
Ina
I
Sevic
Laboratorio de Biología Molecular Aplicada, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Químicas y Naturales. Universidad Nacional de Misiones, Av. Mariano Moreno 1375, Posadas, Misiones, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina.
Inés
I
Badano
Banco de Sangre Central de Misiones, Av. Cabred y Av. López Torres, Posadas, Misiones, Argentina.
Richard
R
Malan
Cátedra de Virología, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Junín 956 4to Piso, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina.
Diego Martin
DM
Flichman
Laboratorio de Biología Molecular Aplicada, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Químicas y Naturales. Universidad Nacional de Misiones, Av. Mariano Moreno 1375, Posadas, Misiones, Argentina.
Domingo Javier
DJ
Liotta
Cátedra de Virología, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Junín 956 4to Piso, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina.
Rodolfo Hector
RH
Campos
D001118:Argentina / Q000453:epidemiology; D001499:Bayes Theorem; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006801:Humans; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology / Q000379:methods; D009154:Mutation; D010802:Phylogeny; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic
Argentina; Bayesian coalescent analysis; Hepatitis B virus; Molecular epidemiology; Phylogenetic analysis