ABSTRACT
HCV genomic characterization was performed by nucleotide sequence analysis (n=50) combined with restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of the 5'UTR region in 82 isolates coresponding to different Argentine groups. Genotype 1 was detected in 70.7 percent of the samples (58 out of 82), genotype 2 in 21.9 percent (18 of 82) and genotypes 3 in the remaining 6 sera (7.3 percent). HCV ib subtype contributed with 35.3 percent to the whole population studied (29 of 82) and was detected in 6 out of 21 sporadic cases. Besides their epidemiological significance, these results should be taken into account when future vaccines are considered on the basis of geographical HCV genotypic prevalence.
Subject(s)
Adult , Middle Aged , Child, Preschool , Child , Female , Humans , Adolescent , Hepacivirus/genetics , Hepatitis C, Chronic/blood , Phylogeny , Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length , Argentina , Base Sequence , Genotype , Hepatitis D, Chronic , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Risk Factors , Sequence Analysis, RNAABSTRACT
GBV-C/Hepatitis G virus (HGV) has been identified as an infectious agent for humans although its potential involvement as a pathogenic virus is still controversial. Hitherto, 3 genotypes have been identified worldwide by c-DNA sequencing. This method allows genomic viral RNA clustering according to the geographical source of the strains, but its potential value in type- (or even strain-) specific pathogenesis has only started to be explored. Since this method requires highly specialized laboratories and is rather expensive, we propose a rapid method based on differential restriction fragment lenght polymorphism (RFLP) of 5'NCR amplicons. Using Hinf I, Dra I and Mae II endonucleases, it is possible to obtain different restriction patterns to discriminate among 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b and 3 subtypes/types. This methodology could be useful for large scale molecular epidemiology as well as for studies on viral pathogenesis.