Full genome analysis of hepatitis B virus genotype E strains from South-Western Africa and madagascar reveals low genetic variability

The eight genotypes of hepatitis B virus (HBV), A–H, have a characteristic geographical distribution. The high prevalence of genotype E within a wide expanse of Africa makes it important to characterize this genotype. Although the preS/S region of a large number of genotype E isolates has been seque...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of medical virology 2005-09, Vol.77 (1), p.47-52
Main Authors: Kramvis, Anna, Restorp, Karin, Norder, Heléne, Botha, Johan F., Magnius, Lars O., Kew, Michael C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Africa, Southern - epidemiology
Biological and medical sciences
Child
Epidemiology
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Genetic Variation - genetics
Genome, Viral
Genotype
genotyping
Hepatitis B - epidemiology
Hepatitis B - virology
Hepatitis B e Antigens - blood
Hepatitis B e Antigens - genetics
Hepatitis B virus - classification
Hepatitis B virus - genetics
Human viral diseases
Humans
Infectious diseases
Madagascar - epidemiology
Male
Medical sciences
Microbiology
Miscellaneous
Phylogeny
Sequence Analysis, DNA
subtyping
variants
Viral diseases
Virology
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Summary:The eight genotypes of hepatitis B virus (HBV), A–H, have a characteristic geographical distribution. The high prevalence of genotype E within a wide expanse of Africa makes it important to characterize this genotype. Although the preS/S region of a large number of genotype E isolates has been sequenced, to date only eight complete genotype E genomes have been published. The aim of this study, therefore, was to sequence and characterize the complete genome of genotype E isolates obtained from geographically distinct regions in Africa, including Namibia, Angola, and Madagascar. The nine newly sequenced genotype E isolates were closely related with an intra‐group nucleotide divergence of 1.2%, reflecting their close geographical origin. All genotype E strains have the same characteristics, an in‐frame deletion of three nucleotides (one amino acid) in the 5′ pre‐S1, a signature pattern of amino acids in the pre‐S1 region and the serological subtype ayw4. In addition, we have identified another unique attribute of genotype E strains, the introduction of another start codon Met83 in the pre‐S1 region that may result in the translation of an elongated middle hepatitis B surface protein (MHBs). J. Med. Virol. 77:47–52, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
ISSN:0146-6615
1096-9071
DOI:10.1002/jmv.20412