Nucleotide sequence analysis of new genotype of hepatitis G virus in population at high risk for HCV infection in Guangxi / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To examine the prevalence and the sequence of the genes of new genotypes of hepatitis G virus (HGV) in Guangxi, China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Serum samples were collected from 85 intravenous drug abusers (IVDAs), 80 patients with liver diseases (PLDs) and 50 blood donors (BDs). All sera (n=215) were tested by using EIA for HBsAg, anti-HCV and anti-HIV, and by using nested PCR for HGV RNA. In 62 subjects positive for HGV, HGV RNA was sequenced, and a phylogenetic tree was constructed for analyzing genotypes of HGV.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>HGV RNA was detected in 85 of 215 serum samples (39.53%). The positivity rates for HBsAg, anti-HCV and anti-HIV were 39.07%, 42.79% and 0, respectively. First, 11 nucleotide sequences were determined and the isolates were grouped into three clusters with HGV. 5 of 11 HGV isolates clustered in a distinct phylogenetic branch (genotype Asia) which was different from the described GBV-C and HGV sequences, suggesting the presence of a new genotype of HGV in this locality. Second, 51 nucleotide sequences were determined and analyzed for their genotypes of HGV, and showed genotype GBV-C (3.23%), genotype HGV 30-65% and new genotype (genotype Asia) 64.51%, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>There were subgenotypes in 3 genotypes of HGV; The predominant genotypes of HGV were genotype Asia and genotype HGV among IVDAs, PLDs, and BDs patients in Guangxi, China.</p>

Preliminary evidence that a hepatitis E virus (HEV) ORF2 recombinant protein protects cynomolgus macaques against challenge with wild-type HEV / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>To observe the protective effect of hepatitis E virus (HEV) ORF2 recombinant protein expressed in prokaryote cell cynomolgus macaques (cynos) against challenging with wild-type HEV.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Cynos were immunized with HEV ORF2 recombinant protein and then challenged with wild-type HEV, the unimmunized cynos were used as control. Blood samples were collected and tested to see if there were dynamic changes of ALT and antibody to HEV before and after challenge with wild-type HEV.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the five unimmunized cynos re-presented hepatitis 3 weeks after challenging with wild-type HEV. However, all the five immunized cynos showed no hepatitis and pathological changes.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Cynos can be efficiently protected by immunization with HEV ORF2 recombinant protein against wild-type HEV. This protein can be a promising candidate for HEV vaccine.</p>