Hepatitis A in Tunisia: phylogenetic analysis of hepatitis A virus from 2001 to 2004

Tunisia is a highly endemic area for hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection. In the present study, the phylogenetic characterization of the VP1 gene (882 nucleotides) and of the VP1/2A junction (336 nucleotides) of Tunisian strains were examined. One hundred strains isolated from patient with anti-HAV IgM from 2001 to 2004 were amplified by RT-PCR, sequenced at the VP1 and at the VP1/2A junction and aligned with the published sequences to establish phylogenetic analysis. All Tunisian strains belong to genotype I with a greater presence of sub-genotype IA (98%) originate from most of Tunisian regions and 2% of sub-genotype IB. In addition, sub-genotype IA and IB strains formed 25 different clusters. Genetically similar strains were also identified between 2001 and 2004 isolated from the southern and the central part of Tunisia, suggesting that an indigenous strain has been circulating in the Tunisia. The genetic profile of the VP1 region showed that Tun159-02 and Tun40-03 clustered respectively in the IB and IA sub-genotype, however, analysis of VP1/2A junction revealed in contrast that Tun159-02 and Tun40-03 clustered respectively in IA and IB. This is the first report to identify sub-genotype IA in Tunisia and provides new data on the genetic relatedness of HAV from Tunisia and the distribution of sub-genotype IA in this part of the world.     

中国部分甲肝病毒流行株结构蛋白VP3-VP1区基因特点分析

目的 分析中国部分甲肝病毒流行株结构蛋白VP3-VP1区基因特点.方法 收集42份甲肝患者急性期血清标本,经核酸提取、逆转录及巢氏PCR,测得结构-非结构蛋白VP3-VP1-2A区序列,进行序列同源性比较并分析其基因特点.结果 42株HAV病毒株在VP1-2A连接处核苷酸和氨基酸序列同源性分别为89.1%～100%和97.3%～100%;在全长结构蛋白VP3-VP1区的核苷酸和氨基酸序列同源性分别为87.6%～100%和98.8%～100%.VP1-2A连接处序列相同的病毒株在全长结构蛋白VP3-VP1区的核苷酸同源性为98.4%～100%,0～2个氨基酸位点不同.本实验所得序列在中和抗原位点处氨基酸序列均未变异.结论 42株病毒株均属于I型,40株是IA亚型,2株IB亚型.本实验所用HAV流行株在结构蛋白VP3-VP1区的核苷酸存在差异但是氨基酸序列高度保守且没有中和抗原位点处的变异.VP1-2A结合处核苷酸序列相同的分离株在全长结构蛋白VP3-VP1区核苷酸序列相同或相近,氨基酸序列保守.     

中国部分甲肝病毒流行株结构蛋白VP3-VPl区基因特点分析

目的分析中国部分甲肝病毒流行株结构蛋白VP3-VPl区基因特点。方法收集42份甲肝患者急性期血清标本,经核酸提取、逆转录及巢氏PCR,测得结构一非结构蛋白VP3-VPl-2A区序列,进行序列同源性比较并分析其基因特点。结果42株HAV病毒株在VPl-2A连接处核苷酸和氨基酸序列同源性分别为89．1％～100％和97．3％～100％;在全长结构蛋白VP3-VPl区的核苷酸和氨基酸序列同源性分别为87．6％～100％和98．8％～100％。VPl-2A连接处序列相同的病毒株在全长结构蛋白VP3．VPl区的核苷酸同源性为98．4％～100％,0～2个氨基酸位点不同。本实验所得序列在中和抗原位点处氨基酸序列均未变异。结论42株病毒株均属于I型,40株是IA亚型,2株IB亚型。本实验所用HAV流行株在结构蛋白VP3．VPl区的核苷酸存在差异但是氨基酸序列高度保守且没有中和抗原位点处的变异。VPl-2A结合处核苷酸序列相同的分离株在全长结构蛋白VP3-VPl区核苷酸序列相同或相近,氨基酸序列保守。     

中国部分甲肝病毒流行株结构蛋白VP3-VP1区基因特点分析

目的 分析中国部分甲肝病毒流行株结构蛋白VP3-VP1区基因特点.方法 收集42份甲肝患者急性期血清标本,经核酸提取、逆转录及巢氏PCR,测得结构-非结构蛋白VP3-VP1-2A区序列,进行序列同源性比较并分析其基因特点.结果 42株HAV病毒株在VP1-2A连接处核苷酸和氨基酸序列同源性分别为89.1%～100%和97.3%～100%;在全长结构蛋白VP3-VP1区的核苷酸和氨基酸序列同源性分别为87.6%～100%和98.8%～100%.VP1-2A连接处序列相同的病毒株在全长结构蛋白VP3-VP1区的核苷酸同源性为98.4%～100%,0～2个氨基酸位点不同.本实验所得序列在中和抗原位点处氨基酸序列均未变异.结论 42株病毒株均属于I型,40株是IA亚型,2株IB亚型.本实验所用HAV流行株在结构蛋白VP3-VP1区的核苷酸存在差异但是氨基酸序列高度保守且没有中和抗原位点处的变异.VP1-2A结合处核苷酸序列相同的分离株在全长结构蛋白VP3-VP1区核苷酸序列相同或相近,氨基酸序列保守.     

Diversité génétique d’un génotype rare du virus de l’hépatite A

Purpose of the study

Very few is known on genotype II hepatitis A virus (HAV) since it is rarely isolated. From 2002 to 2007, the French observatory of HAV identified six sub-genotype IIA strains of which one from a patient having travelled to West Africa. To investigate the possible African origin of sub-genotype IIA, we determined its prevalence among French travellers in 2008 and characterised its genetic variability.

Patients and methods

The 2008 mandatory notification records were screened for travel to Africa. Viral genotype was determined on the nucleotide sequencing of the VP1/2A junction region. The P1 region coding for capsid proteins was used to compare the genetic diversity of IIA isolates to those of other genotypes.

Results

In 2008, five out of 54 patients returning from West Africa were infected by IIA strains and an additional “autochthonous” case was identified. Two more African cases were identified in 2009. A total of 14 IIA isolates (eight African and six “autochthonous”) were analysed. Nucleotide and amino-acid variability of IIA sequences was lower than that of the other genotypes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the clustering of two “autochthonous” cases with African isolates whereas the other ones belonged to a different lineage.

Conclusion

Most IIA strains isolated in France are imported by travellers returning from West Africa. However, the unexplained contamination mode of some “autochthonous” cases suggests another geographical origin to discover or a French reservoir to explore.     

河北石家庄2005-2007年甲肝病毒流行株基因分型研究

目的 了解石家庄地区甲型肝炎病毒(HAV)流行株基因型特征,为HAV溯源研究打下基础.方法 收集了2005-2007年石家庄地区部分甲肝患者急性期血清标本,用HAV结构-非结构区VP1-2A基因引物,经核酸提取,RT-PeR,序列测定,对HAV进行基因分型分析.结果 石家庄地区2005-2007年HAV流行株VP1-2A区核苷酸序列同源性为95%～100%,都属于Ⅰ A亚型;该区氨基酸序列几乎相同.结论 石家庄地区存在有多株甲肝病毒流行株,同一株甲肝病毒可以存在不同地区,同一地区可以检测到相同或不相同的HAV毒株.为今后进一步开展甲肝病毒分子流行病学研究及有效控制HAV流行提供了理论和技术支撑.     

新疆和田2006年甲肝病毒流行株基因分型研究

目的 了解2006年新疆和田甲型肝炎病毒(HAV)流行株基因型特征,为HAV溯源研究打下基础.方法 收集了新疆和田部分甲肝病人血清标本,用HAV结构.非结构区基因VP1-2A引物,经核酸提取,RT-PCR,序列测定,对HAV进行基因分型研究.结果 新疆和田VP1-2A区HAV核苷酸序列变异为0%～3.9%,分为不同基因簇,但都属1A亚型;VP1-2A区氨基酸序列只有0～2个差异.与已发表的2005年新疆伊犁部分甲肝病毒流行株基因有相同序列或同源性较高.结论 和田有多株甲肝病毒存在,本研究流行可能有多个传染源,多个传播链,在人群免疫水平较低时,引起甲肝流行.结果 表明HAV分子流行病学方法在HAV流行株遗传变异及溯源研究中,以及控制HAV流行中具有重要作用.     

Molecular epidemiology of an outbreak of hepatitis A in Italy

The relationship of hepatitis A virus (HAV) isolates associated with an outbreak in Genoa, Italy, in 1993 was examined using direct sequencing of amplicons derived by antigen capture PCR (AC/ PCR) from faecal samples of the infected persons. Forty samples recovered from 38 primary and two secondary cases were examined. The latter were household contacts of the primary cases. In addition, faecal material of 2 unrelated persons infected simultaneously with hepatitis A in Genoa were tested. The PCR products derived rom the P1/P2 junction of the HAV genome were analysed. A 100% nucleotide identity was detected between the viral isolates originating from the primary as well as the secondary cases. The viral isolates recovered from the faecal samples of the two unrelated cases differed from the virus causing the outbreak as well as from each other. These results indicate that a single HAV strain caused the outbreak. The virus might have been transmitted by ingestion of contaminated food or water since all hepatitis A infected employees of the factory had eaten in the same canteen. Definitions of HAV genotypes are based on numerous genetic comparisons of different strains. The sequence comparison of the investigated isolates with published HAV sequences of the P1/P2 genome region revealed that the virus associated with the outbreak belongs to HAV subgenotype IA, whereas the strains recovered from the viral isolates of the unrelated cases belong to subgenotype IB. © Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Hepatitis A virus genetic diversity in Venezuela: Exclusive circulation of subgenotype IA and evidence of quasispecies distribution in the isolates

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is highly prevalent in Latin America, including Venezuela. Subgenotype IA seems to circulate in an almost exclusive fashion, except in Brazil. The aim of this study was the molecular characterization of the HAV infection in Venezuela, in order to characterize the circulating strains and to analyze the presence of quasispecies in sporadic cases and an epidemic outbreak. A total of 125 (113 sera and 12 feces) samples positive for anti‐HAV IgM from sporadic cases and epidemic outbreak, were submitted to hemi‐nested RT‐PCR for amplification of the VP1 N terminus or complete region of the HAV genome. Sequences obtained from 96 Venezuelan isolates were used for phylogenetic analysis. The quasispecies distribution was evaluated by cloning of HAV amplicons. Phylogenetic analysis of HAV sequences from Venezuela showed the exclusive circulation of subgenotype IA, but with co‐circulation of two lineages, not found in other countries. The genetic variability found among Venezuelan strains was also analyzed by single‐strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP). This technique allowed the detection of intra‐strain variability, which was indeed related to the presence of quasispecies populations in the isolates. The quasispecies heterogeneity was higher in some isolates derived from sporadic cases compared to the one observed in the outbreak. The molecular characterization of HAV isolates from Venezuela showed the circulation of a unique subgenotype IA, but with the presence of diverse strains and quasispecies inside the viral populations. J. Med. Virol. 82:1829–1834, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Genetic characterization of hepatitis A virus isolates from Buenos Aires,Argentina

The Hepatitis A virus (HAV) has been classified in seven different genotypes, which include human (I, II, III, and VII) and simian (IV, V, and VI) groups. The sequence analysis of HAV strains contributes to the molecular epidemiology of the virus. Although the infection with HAV is endemic in Argentina and vaccination is being implemented in this country, using both IA and IB strains, there are very few data on the genotypes of the circulating viruses. On the basis of the sequences of 20 isolates collected in Buenos Aires during a 2-year period (extended to 3 years by two additional specimens), we observed the presence of a single sub-genotype, IA, but with a high genetic diversity. We analyzed the VP1-2A junction and also the VP3-VP1 region. Most of the Argentine isolates grouped in at least two clusters. One of these was related to South American strains, thus suggesting a co-circulation of related isolates in neighbor countries. The other cluster was composed only of Argentine specimens. Other sequences were more scattered along the phylogenetic tree. However, we demonstrated that a consistent genetic relatedness of sequences could only be inferred on the basis of a more extensive sequencing of each isolate.     

Genetic analysis of HAV strains isolated from patients with acute hepatitis in Korea, 2005-2006

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is a causative agent of acute viral hepatitis, which represents a significant public health problem. HAV is usually transmitted by oral-fecal route and prevalent not only in developing countries but also in developed countries worldwide. To characterize the HAV wild type strains circulating in Korea, the VP3/VP1 and VP1/P2A junction regions were detected by RT-PCR from HAV IgM positives during 2005 and 2006. Among 160 HAV IgM positive sera, 30% (n = 48) were positive for HAV RNA. Additionally, the VP3/VP1 junction regions were detected all six stools, which collected from outbreak in Gyeonggi province. Phylogenetic analysis of the sequences obtained from 54 distinct HAV isolates revealed that most of the strains (n = 45) belonged to genotype IA and the others including nine strains belonged to genotype IIIA. Interestingly, a Q --> S amino acid change was dominantly observed at position 810 of the VP1/P2A junction region in 14 isolates. The molecular epidemiology of HAV infection in Korea has changed with the co-circulation of at least two genotypes and 810Q --> S amino acid substitutions were found to be prevalent. These results strongly suggest that various HAV strains, including genotype IIIA, might be imported from high-endemic countries into Korea.     

Molecular characterization of new emerging sub-genotype VIIh Newcastle disease viruses in China

Newcastle disease (ND) has been enzootic in China for several decades since the first recognition of the disease in 1946 in China. Continuous surveillance revealed that the sub-genotype VIId Newcastle disease virus (NDV) has been predominantly responsible for most of ND outbreak in China in recent years. But in the present study, three virulent NDVs isolated from poultry in southern China were classified as sub-genotype VIIh, which is highly related to the viruses circulating in some Southeast Asia countries. Continuous isolation of genotype VIIh NDV strains in the region suggests its panzootic potential. This is the first report of the sub-genotype VIIh NDVs in domestic poultry in China. The complete genome length of the three isolates was 15,192 nucleotides, and the motif at the cleavage site of F protein was ¹¹²RRRRR/F¹¹⁷ or ¹¹²RRRKR/F¹¹⁷, which was typical of virulent NDV. Phylogenetic analysis based on the F gene revealed that the three viruses had close relationship with the sub-genotype VIIh virus isolated from wild bird in 2011 in China. These viruses might have formed a stable lineage in poultry during 2012–2016 and have the potential to cause enzootic in China. Our study revealed the genetic and phylogenetic characteristics of the three sub-genotype VIIh isolates, which could help us to better understand the epidemiological context of these viruses.

     

Analysis of genetic and serology of hepatitis A virus infection during and after outbreak in two junior high schools in Surabaya,Indonesia

Outbreaks of hepatitis A have occurred in some cities in Indonesia. In Surabaya, the capital city of East Java province, Indonesia, hepatitis A outbreaks have been reported since2013, with a marked increase in the number of cases in 2015. The aim of the present study was to analyze the genetic and serology of acute symptomatic cases (early infection) during a hepatitis A outbreak and asymptomatic cases after the outbreak in two junior high schools in Surabaya in 2015 to 2016. Students with acute symptomatic hepatitis A during the outbreak and other students who were asymptomatic 3 to 4 months after the outbreak were enrolled. Asymptomatic students had no symptoms from the outbreak until they were enrolled. Sera were collected to identify anti-hepatitis A virus (HAV) IgM (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and HAV genetic variations/genotypes (using polymerase chain reaction [PCR]-sequencing and phylogenetic analysis). A total of 33 (97.1%) out of 34 sera of students with acute symptoms were positive for anti-HAV IgM and 18% of them were positive by PCR, identified as HAV subgenotype IA. No prominent amino acid variations were observed from reported HAV sequences from Indonesia. Among 38 sera of asymptomatic students, most (55.3%) were positive for anti-HAV IgM, while none were positive by PCR. In conclusion, HAV-IA was the only subgenotype identified in acute symptomatic cases during the outbreak. The percentage of HAV-specific IgM-positive cases was very high among acute symptomatic students, but that was also high among asymptomatic students, which might contribute as the important source of infection during the outbreak.     

Hepatitis in Albanian children: molecular analysis of hepatitis A virus isolates

Hepatitis A is a common disease in developing countries and Albania has a high prevalence of this disease associated to young age. In spite of the occurrence of a unique serotype there are different genotypes classified from I to VII. Genotype characterisation of HAV isolates circulating in Albania has been undertaken, as well as the study of the occurrence of antigenic variants in the proteins VP3 and VP1. To evaluate the genetic variability of the Albanian hepatitis A virus (HAV) isolates, samples were collected from 12 different cities, and the VP1/2A junction amplified and sequenced. These sequences were aligned and a phylogenetic analysis performed. Additionally, the amino half sequence of the protein VP3 and the complete sequence of the VP1 was determined. Anti-HAV IgM were present in 66.2% of all the sera. Fifty HAV isolates were amplified and the analysis revealed that all the isolates were sub-genotype IA with only limited mutations. When the deduced amino acid sequences were obtained, the alignment showed only two amino acids substitutions at positions 22 and 34 of the 2A protein. A higher genomic stability of the VP1/2A region, in contrast with what occurs in other parts of the world could be observed, indicating high endemicity of HAV in Albania. In addition, two potential antigenic variants were detected. The first at position 46 of VP3 in seven isolates and the second at position 23 of VP1 in six isolates.     

Genetic analysis of HAV strains recovered from patients with acute hepatitis from Southern Italy

Southern Italy is an endemic area for HAV infection contributing to the majority of Italian hepatitis A cases. Using molecular analysis, HAV strains have been classified in distinct genotypes and subgenotypes. To characterize HAV wild-type strains circulating in Southern Italy, sequence analysis of VP3-VP1 and VP1/2A junction regions of HAV isolates recovered from 25 patients with acute hepatitis during 2000 and 2001 was carried out. HAV isolates showed a degree of identity, after pairwise comparison with one another, ranging from 91.9-100% in the VP3-VP1 junction region and 89.9-100% in the VP1/2A junction region. All strains belonged to genotype I, with 84% (21/25) of samples clustering in subgenotype IA and 16% (4/25) in subgenotype IB. Cocirculation of subgenotypes IA and IB was observed among isolates from 2000, whereas all strains from 2001 were subgenotype IA. In addition, the subgenotype IA strains formed different clusters, one of which was related closely to some Cuban strains, showing a percent similarity of 98.8% in the 168-base pair segment encompassing the VP1/2A junction and the same amino acid substitution. The latter finding suggests that this subgenotype variant circulates also in the Mediterranean area. The results of the phylogenetic analysis confirm the genetic heterogeneity among HAV strains in Western Europe.     

Characterization of a possible nosocomial aspergillosis outbreak

Objective   To study the epidemiologic aspects of a suspected outbreak of nosocomial invasive aspergillosis.
Methods   Sixteen Aspergillus fumigatus strains were isolated from bronchoalveolar washings or sputa of 10 patients during a 9-month period. Furthermore, two environmental samples, isolated in a microbiological screening of the hospital, were also available for analysis. Random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis (RAPD) was carried out.
Results   The analysis performed by RAPD clearly demonstrated substantial genetic variation among the isolates. Both of the two different primers selected for RAPD analysis (R-108 and AP12h) were able to demonstrate that the strains isolated from all patients infected with the same fungal species and the environmental samples were genotypically distinct. The results by RAPD typing demonstrated that this technique could detect variability among isolates of Aspergillus fumigatus from different patients and even from the same patient.
Conclusions   RAPD genotyping proved that the outbreak of invasive aspergillosis consisted of a series of events, non-related, and probably not coming from the same source within the hospital. This type of analysis is an easy, quick and highly discriminatory technique that may help in planning epidemiologic studies of aspergillosis.     

Ultra-Deep Sequencing Analysis of the Hepatitis A Virus 5'-Untranslated Region among Cases of the Same Outbreak from a Single Source

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is a causative agent of acute viral hepatitis for which an effective vaccine has been developed. Here we describe ultra-deep pyrosequences (UDPSs) of HAV 5''-untranslated region (5''UTR) among cases of the same outbreak, which arose from a single source, associated with a revolving sushi bar. We determined the reference sequence from HAV-derived clone from an attendant by the Sanger method. Sixteen UDPSs from this outbreak and one from another sporadic case were compared with this reference. Nucleotide errors yielded a UDPS error rate of < 1%. This study confirmed that nucleotide substitutions of this region are transition mutations in outbreak cases, that insertion was observed only in non-severe cases, and that these nucleotide substitutions were different from those of the sporadic case. Analysis of UDPSs detected low-prevalence HAV variations in 5''UTR, but no specific mutations associated with severity in these outbreak cases. To our surprise, HAV strains in this outbreak conserved HAV IRES sequence even if we performed analysis of UDPSs. UDPS analysis of HAV 5''UTR gave us no association between the disease severity of hepatitis A and HAV 5''UTR substitutions. It might be more interesting to perform ultra-deep sequencing of full length HAV genome in order to reveal possible unknown genomic determinants associated with disease severity. Further studies will be needed.     

RT-PCR-RFLP用于麻疹病毒疫苗株和H1基因型的分析

目的 建立RT-PCR-RFLP方法 用于天津地区2002-2008年流行的麻疹野病毒基因型研究.方法 采集疑似麻疹患者的尿标本和咽拭子,传代细胞分离病毒.提取病毒液中的RNA,用一步RT-PCR法扩增麻疹病毒核蛋白(nucleoprotein,N)基因C端594个核苷酸片段,扩增产物经Bcn I酶切后琼脂糖凝胶电泳进行限制性片段多态性分析(RFLP),同时与序列分析进行对比验证.根据结果 构建基因系统发生树进行亲缘关系和遗传距离分析.结果 2002-2008年189份标本,分离获得69株麻疹病毒,N基因C端RT-PCR检测全部阳性,RFLP分析H1a是优势流行亚型,占98.55%(68/69),仅1株(1.45%)为H1b基因亚型,分型结果 与序列测定完全一致.系统发生树分析显示H1a亚型毒株分为2个亚枝,变异范围为0.2%～3.8%,存在不同病毒株引起的传播链共循环.结论 基于Bcn I限制性内切酶的RT-PCR-RFLP方法 能够特异性区分A基因型、H1a、H1b基因亚型,具有快速、简便、准确和经济的优点,更适用于国内大规模麻疹病毒的监测.