1
|
Jia Y, Zou X, Yue W, Liu J, Yue M, Liu Y, Liu L, Huang P, Feng Y, Xia X. The distribution of hepatitis C viral genotypes shifted among chronic hepatitis C patients in Yunnan, China, between 2008-2018. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1092936. [PMID: 37496804 PMCID: PMC10366605 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1092936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Object The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is prevalent across China, with a distinctive genotypic distribution that varies by geographical region and mode of transmission. Yunnan is one such geographical region wherein the local population continues to experience a high level of HCV infection, severely straining public health resources. This high prevalence is likely due to the increased incidence of intravenous drug use in that region, as Yunnan is a major point of entry for illegal heroin into China. Methods We investigated 510 individuals with chronic HCV infections in Yunnan Province from 2008 through 2018. Using reverse transcription PCR and Sanger sequencing to amplify and sequence samples. Bayesian analyses was performed to estimate the common ancestors and Bayesian skyline plot to estimate the effective viral population size. Molecular network was conducted to explore the characteristics of HCV transmission. Results We successfully amplified and sequenced a total of 503 viral samples and genotyped each as either 3b (37.6%), 3a (21.9%), 1b (19.3%), 2a (10.5%), HCV-6 (10.1%), or 1a (0.6%). Over this 11-year period, we observed that the proportion of 3a and 3b subtypes markedly increased and, concomitantly, that the proportion of 1b and 2a subtypes decreased. We also performed Bayesian analyses to estimate the common ancestors of the four major subtypes, 1b, 2a, 3a, and 3b. Finally, we determined that our Bayesian skyline plot and transmission network data correlated well with the changes we observed in the proportions of HCV subtypes over time. Conclusions Taken together, our results indicate that the prevalence of HCV 3a and 3b subtypes is rapidly increasing in Yunnan, thus demonstrating a steadily growing public health requirement to implement more stringent preventative and therapeutic measures to curb the spread of the virus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Jia
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology & The Affiliated Anning First People’s Hospital, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Xiu Zou
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology & The Affiliated Anning First People’s Hospital, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Wei Yue
- Department of Infectious Disease, Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Virology, The First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Jin Liu
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology & The Affiliated Anning First People’s Hospital, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Ming Yue
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology & The Affiliated Anning First People’s Hospital, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Li Liu
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology & The Affiliated Anning First People’s Hospital, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Peng Huang
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yue Feng
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology & The Affiliated Anning First People’s Hospital, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Xueshan Xia
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology & The Affiliated Anning First People’s Hospital, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Xu R, Aranday-Cortes E, Leitch ECM, Hughes J, Singer JB, Sreenu V, Tong L, da Silva Filipe A, Bamford CGG, Rong X, Huang J, Wang M, Fu Y, McLauchlan J. The Evolutionary Dynamics and Epidemiological History of Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 6, Including Unique Strains from the Li Community of Hainan Island, China. Virus Evol 2022; 8:veac012. [PMID: 35600095 PMCID: PMC9115904 DOI: 10.1093/ve/veac012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a highly diverse pathogen that frequently establishes a chronic long-term infection, but the origins and drivers of HCV diversity in the human population remain unclear. Previously unidentified strains of HCV genotype 6 (gt6) were recently discovered in chronically infected individuals of the Li ethnic group living in Baisha County, Hainan Island, China. The Li community, who were early settlers on Hainan Island, have a distinct host genetic background and cultural identity compared to other ethnic groups on the island and mainland China. In this report, we generated 33 whole virus genome sequences to conduct a comprehensive molecular epidemiological analysis of these novel gt6 strains in the context of gt6 isolates present in Southeast Asia. With the exception of one gt6a isolate, the Li gt6 sequences formed 3 novel clades from two lineages which constituted 3 newly assigned gt6 subtypes and 30 unassigned strains. Using Bayesian inference methods, we dated the most recent common ancestor for all available gt6 whole virus genome sequences to approximately 2767 BCE (95% HPD intervals, 3670 to 1397 BCE), which is far earlier than previous estimates. The substitution rate was 1.20 x 10-4 substitutions/site/year (s/s/y) and this rate varied across the genome regions, from 1.02 x 10-5 s/s/y in the 5ʹUTR region to 3.07 x 10-4 s/s/y in E2. Thus, our study on an isolated ethnic minority group within a small geographical area of Hainan Island has substantially increased the known diversity of HCV gt6, already acknowledged as the most diverse HCV genotype. The extant HCV gt6 sequences from this study were probably transmitted to the Li through at least three independent events dating perhaps from around 4000 years ago. This analysis describes deeper insight into basic aspects of HCV gt6 molecular evolution including the extensive diversity of gt6 sequences in the isolated Li ethnic group.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ru Xu
- Institute of Clinical Blood Transfusion, Guangzhou Blood Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | | | | | - Joseph Hughes
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, UK
| | - Joshua B Singer
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Lily Tong
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, UK
| | | | | | - Xia Rong
- Institute of Clinical Blood Transfusion, Guangzhou Blood Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jieting Huang
- Institute of Clinical Blood Transfusion, Guangzhou Blood Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Min Wang
- Institute of Clinical Blood Transfusion, Guangzhou Blood Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yongshui Fu
- Institute of Clinical Blood Transfusion, Guangzhou Blood Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - John McLauchlan
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, UK
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Shah R, Ahovegbe L, Niebel M, Shepherd J, Thomson EC. Non-epidemic HCV genotypes in low- and middle-income countries and the risk of resistance to current direct-acting antiviral regimens. J Hepatol 2021; 75:462-473. [PMID: 33974951 PMCID: PMC8310923 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2021.04.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an extremely diverse virus, subtypes of which are distributed variably around the world. Viral genotypes may be divided into epidemic subtypes; those that have become prevalent globally, and endemic subtypes that have a more limited distribution, mainly in Africa and Asia. The high variability of endemic strains reflects evolutionary origins in the locations where they are found. This increased genetic diversity raises the possibility of resistance to pan-genotypic direct-acting antiviral regimens. While many endemic subtypes respond well to direct-acting antiviral therapies, others, for example genotypes 1l, 3b and 4r, do not respond as well as predicted. Many genotypes that are rare in high-income countries but common in other parts of the world have not yet been fully assessed in clinical trials. Further sequencing and clinical studies in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia are indicated to monitor response to treatment and to facilitate the World Health Organization's 2030 elimination strategy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rajiv Shah
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, UK
| | - Lucrece Ahovegbe
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, UK; Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Marc Niebel
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, UK
| | - James Shepherd
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, UK
| | - Emma C Thomson
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, UK; London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Genome Sequence of an Unknown Subtype of Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 6: Another Piece for the Taxonomic Puzzle. Microbiol Resour Announc 2019; 8:8/42/e01030-19. [PMID: 31624172 PMCID: PMC6797537 DOI: 10.1128/mra.01030-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The surveillance and correct subtyping of hepatitis C virus strains require available and up-to-date publicly available reference genomes. Here, we present the complete open reading frame sequence of a hepatitis C virus genotype 6 strain of an unknown subtype that was discovered during routine subtyping of patients in the clinic. The surveillance and correct subtyping of hepatitis C virus strains require available and up-to-date publicly available reference genomes. Here, we present the complete open reading frame sequence of a hepatitis C virus genotype 6 strain of an unknown subtype that was discovered during routine subtyping of patients in the clinic.
Collapse
|
5
|
Molecular evolution of hepatitis C virus in China: A nationwide study. Virology 2018; 516:210-218. [PMID: 29407379 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2018.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2017] [Revised: 01/16/2018] [Accepted: 01/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The evolutionary and epidemic history and the regional differences of hepatitis C virus (HCV) are complex and remain unclear in the vast territory China. Here we recruited 1540 HCV-RNA positive patients sampled in 29 provinces across whole China, which is the largest sample capacity and the most comprehensive geographic coverage of China to our knowledge. 1b, 2a, 3b, 6a and 3a were the major subtypes in China. 1b was the most predominant subtype which presented in every province. The second most predominant subtype, 2a, appeared to concentrate in the north of China. Subtypes 3a and 3b were mainly found in the Southwest region, while 6a was restricted in the South region. We further estimated the origins of the dominating subtypes and discovered for the first time that a Chinese-specific transmission pattern for some strains of subtype 2a which was restricted in north China, and Chinese subtype 3b originated from Thailand.
Collapse
|
6
|
Zhang Y, Chen LM, He M. Hepatitis C Virus in mainland China with an emphasis on genotype and subtype distribution. Virol J 2017; 14:41. [PMID: 28231805 PMCID: PMC5324300 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-017-0710-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2016] [Accepted: 02/15/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to the low fidelity of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, Hepatitis C virus (HCV) mutates quite frequently. There are seven genetically divergent genotypes (GTs) distributed in the world, each of which contains several closely related subtypes. The peer-reviewed literatures reporting the prevalence rate of HCV GTs in Chinese hospitalized patients were identified by systematic searching of three electronic databases, and the prevalence rates were pooled through 137 qualified studies. The significant difference between HCV GT and HCV viral load and severity of hepatitis were analyzed under Chi-squared or Fisher's exact test. Data from epidemiological studies on hospitalized patients demonstrated that HCV GTs 1-6 have been found in China, of which 1b (62.78%(95% CI: 59.54-66.02%)) and 2a (17.39% (95% CI: 15.67-19.11%)) are the two predominant subtypes. HCV GTs and subtypes exhibits significant regional divergence. In North, Northwest, Northeast, East (except Jiangxi province) and Central China (except Hunan province), HCV-1b, 2a remain the two predominant subtypes; South China shows the most abundant genetic diversity that 14 subtypes were found, and HCV-3 in the Southwest China remains higher prevalent subtype than the other regions. In addition, co-infection in Liaoning province of Northeast China is the most diverse with 10 co-infection types, and Tibet has the highest rate of co-infection. The associations between HCV GTs and patients group, severity of illness and antiviral treatment efficacy were also discussed in this review.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- Institute of Blood Transfusion, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, 610052 China
- Sichuan Blood Safety and Blood Substitute, International Science and Technology Cooperation Base, Chengdu, 610052 China
| | - Li-Min Chen
- Institute of Blood Transfusion, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, 610052 China
- Sichuan Blood Safety and Blood Substitute, International Science and Technology Cooperation Base, Chengdu, 610052 China
- Toronto General Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Miao He
- Institute of Blood Transfusion, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, 610052 China
- Sichuan Blood Safety and Blood Substitute, International Science and Technology Cooperation Base, Chengdu, 610052 China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
SOUSA MDAC, PARANÁ R, ANDRADE LJDO. SEQUENCE SIMILARITY BETWEEN THYROID SELF-PROTEIN AND HEPATITIS C VIRUS POLYPROTEIN: possible triggering mechanism of autoimmune thyroiditis. ARQUIVOS DE GASTROENTEROLOGIA 2016; 53:185-91. [DOI: 10.1590/s0004-28032016000300012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2015] [Accepted: 04/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Background - Exposure to viral antigens that share amino acid sequence similar with self- antigens might trigger autoimmune diseases in genetically predisposed individuals, and the molecular mimicry theory suggests that epitope mimicry between the virus and human proteins can activate autoimmune disease. Objective - The purpose of this study is to explore the possible sequence similarity between the amino acid sequences of thyroid self-protein and hepatitis C virus proteins, using databanks of proteins and immunogenic peptides, to explain autoimmune thyroid disease. Methods - Were performed the comparisons between the amino acid sequence of the hepatitis C virus polyprotein and thyroid self-protein human, available in the database of National Center for Biotechnology Information on Basic Local Alignment Search Tool. Results - The sequence similarity was related each hepatitis C virus genotype to each thyroid antigen. The similarities between the thyroid and the viral peptides ranged from 21.0 % (31 identical residues out of 147 amino acid in the sequence) to 71.0% (5 identical residues out of 7 amino acid in the sequence). Conclusion - Bioinformatics data, suggest a possible pathogenic link between hepatitis C virus and autoimmune thyroid disease. Through of molecular mimicry is observed that sequences similarities between viral polyproteins and self-proteins thyroid could be a mechanism of induction of crossover immune response to self-antigens, with a breakdown of self-tolerance, resulting in autoimmune thyroid disease.
Collapse
|
8
|
Trémeaux P, Caporossi A, Thélu MA, Blum M, Leroy V, Morand P, Larrat S. Hepatitis C virus whole genome sequencing: Current methods/issues and future challenges. Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci 2016; 53:341-51. [PMID: 27068766 DOI: 10.3109/10408363.2016.1163663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Therapy for hepatitis C is currently undergoing a revolution. The arrival of new antiviral agents targeting viral proteins reinforces the need for a better knowledge of the viral strains infecting each patient. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) whole genome sequencing provides essential information for precise typing, study of the viral natural history or identification of resistance-associated variants. First performed with Sanger sequencing, the arrival of next-generation sequencing (NGS) has simplified the technical process and provided more detailed data on the nature and evolution of viral quasi-species. We will review the different techniques used for HCV complete genome sequencing and their applications, both before and after the apparition of NGS. The progress brought by new and future technologies will also be discussed, as well as the remaining difficulties, largely due to the genomic variability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Trémeaux
- a Laboratoire de Virologie , Institut de Biologie et Pathologie, CHU Grenoble-Alpes , Grenoble , France .,b Institut de Biologie Structurale (IBS), UMR 5075 CEA-CNRS-UGA , Grenoble , France
| | - Alban Caporossi
- c Centre d'investigation clinique, Santé publique, CHU Grenoble-Alpes , Grenoble , France .,d Laboratoire TIMC-IMAG , Université de Grenoble Alpes , Grenoble , France , and
| | - Marie-Ange Thélu
- e Clinique d'Hépato-gastroentérologie, Pôle Digidune, CHU Grenoble-Alpes , Grenoble , France
| | - Michael Blum
- d Laboratoire TIMC-IMAG , Université de Grenoble Alpes , Grenoble , France , and
| | - Vincent Leroy
- e Clinique d'Hépato-gastroentérologie, Pôle Digidune, CHU Grenoble-Alpes , Grenoble , France
| | - Patrice Morand
- a Laboratoire de Virologie , Institut de Biologie et Pathologie, CHU Grenoble-Alpes , Grenoble , France .,b Institut de Biologie Structurale (IBS), UMR 5075 CEA-CNRS-UGA , Grenoble , France
| | - Sylvie Larrat
- a Laboratoire de Virologie , Institut de Biologie et Pathologie, CHU Grenoble-Alpes , Grenoble , France .,b Institut de Biologie Structurale (IBS), UMR 5075 CEA-CNRS-UGA , Grenoble , France
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Prabdial-Sing N, Blackard J, Puren A, Mahomed A, Abuelhassan W, Mahlangu J, Vermeulen M, Bowyer S. Naturally occurring resistance mutations within the core and NS5B regions in hepatitis C genotypes, particularly genotype 5a, in South Africa. Antiviral Res 2016; 127:90-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2015.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2015] [Revised: 10/05/2015] [Accepted: 11/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
|
10
|
Genotype Distribution and Molecular Epidemiology of Hepatitis C Virus in Hubei, Central China. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0137059. [PMID: 26325070 PMCID: PMC4556612 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0137059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2014] [Accepted: 08/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Little is known about the molecular epidemiology of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Central China. Methodology/Principal Findings A total of 570 patients from Hubei Province in central China were enrolled. These patients were tested positive for HCV antibody prior to blood transfusion. Among them, 177 were characterized by partial NS5B and/or Core-E1 sequences and classified into five subtypes: 1b, 83.0% (147/177); 2a, 13.0% (23/177); 3b, 2.3% (4/177); 6a, 1.1% (2/177); 3a, 0.6% (1/177). Analysis of genotype-associated risk factors revealed that paid blood donation and transfusion before 1997 were strongly associated with subtypes 1b and 2a, while some subtype 2a cases were also found in individuals with high risk sexual behaviors; subtypes 3b, 6a, and 3a were detected only in intravenous drug users. Phylogeographic analyses based on the coalescent datasets demonstrated that 1b, 2a, 3b, and 6a were locally epidemic in Hubei Province. Among them, subtype 1b Hubei strains may have served as the origins of this subtype in China, and 2a and 3b Hubei strains may have descended from the northwest and southwest of China, respectively, while 6a Hubei strains may have been imported from the central south and southwest. Conclusion/Significance The results suggest that the migration patterns of HCV in Hubei are complex and variable among different subtypes. Implementation of mandatory HCV screening before donation has significantly decreased the incidence of transfusion-associated HCV infection since 1997. More attention should be paid to intravenous drug use and unsafe sexual contact, which may have become new risk factors for HCV infection in Hubei Province.
Collapse
|
11
|
Li C, Lu L, Murphy DG, Negro F, Okamoto H. Origin of hepatitis C virus genotype 3 in Africa as estimated through an evolutionary analysis of the full-length genomes of nine subtypes, including the newly sequenced 3d and 3e. J Gen Virol 2014; 95:1677-1688. [PMID: 24795446 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.065128-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
We characterized the full-length genomes of nine hepatitis C virus genotype 3 (HCV-3) isolates: QC7, QC8, QC9, QC10, QC34, QC88, NE145, NE274 and 811. To the best of our knowledge, NE274 and NE145 were the first full-length genomes for confirming the provisionally assigned subtypes 3d and 3e, respectively, whereas 811 represented the first HCV-3 isolate that had its extreme 3' UTR terminus sequenced. Based on these full-length genomes, together with 42 references representing eight assigned subtypes and an unclassified variant of HCV-3, and 10 sequences of six other genotypes, a timescaled phylogenetic tree was reconstructed after an evolutionary analysis using a coalescent Bayesian procedure. The results indicated that subtypes 3a, 3d and 3e formed a subset with a common ancestor dated to ~202.89 [95% highest posterior density (HPD): 160.11, 264.6] years ago. The analysis of all of the HCV-3 sequences as a single lineage resulted in the dating of the divergence time to ~457.81 (95% HPD: 350.62, 587.53) years ago, whereas the common ancestor of all of the seven HCV genotypes dated to ~780.86 (95% HPD: 592.15, 1021.34) years ago. As subtype 3h and the unclassified variant were relatives, and represented the oldest HCV-3 lineages with origins in Africa and the Middle East, these findings may indicate the ancestral origin of HCV-3 in Africa. We speculate that the ancestral HCV-3 strains may have been brought to South Asia from Africa by land and/or across the sea to result in its indigenous circulation in that region. The spread was estimated to have occurred in the era after Vasco da Gama had completed his expeditions by sailing along the eastern coast of Africa to India. However, before this era, Arabians had practised slave trading from Africa to the Middle East and South Asia for centuries, which may have mediated the earliest spread of HCV-3.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chunhua Li
- Center for Viral Oncology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Ling Lu
- Center for Viral Oncology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Donald G Murphy
- Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Laboratoire de santé publique du Québec, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, Canada
| | - Francesco Negro
- Divisions of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and of Clinical pathology, University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Hiroaki Okamoto
- Division of Virology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke-shi, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Migration patterns of hepatitis C virus in China characterized for five major subtypes based on samples from 411 volunteer blood donors from 17 provinces and municipalities. J Virol 2014; 88:7120-9. [PMID: 24719413 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00414-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED We investigated the migration patterns of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in China. Partial E1 and/or NS5B sequences from 411 volunteer blood donors sampled in 17 provinces and municipalities located in five large regions, the north-northeast, northwest, southwest, central south, and southeast, were characterized. The sequences were classified into eight subtypes (1a, n = 3; 1b, n = 183; 2a, n = 83; 3a, n = 30; 3b, n = 44; 6a, n = 55; 6n, n = 10; 6v, n = 1) and a new subtype candidate. Bayesian evolutionary analysis by sampling trees of the E1 sequences of the five major subtypes revealed distinct migration patterns. Subtype 1b showed four groups: one is prevalent nationwide with possible origins in the north-northeast; two are locally epidemic in the central south and northwest, respectively, and have spread sporadically to other regions; and the fourth one is likely linked to the long-distance dispersion among intravenous drug users from the northwest. Subtype 2a showed two groups: the larger one was mainly restricted to the northwest and seemed to show a trend toward migration via the Silk Road; the smaller one was geographically mixed and may represent descendants of those that spread widely during the contaminated plasma campaign in the 1990s. Subtype 3a exhibited three well-separated geographic groups that may be epidemically unrelated: one showed origins in the northwest, one showed origins in the southwest, and the other showed origins in the central south. In contrast, subtype 3b had a mixture of geographic origins, suggesting migrations from the southwest to the northwest and sporadically to other regions. Structurally resembling the tree for subtype 3a, the tree for subtype 6a showed four groups that may indicate migrations from the central south to southeast, southwest, and northwest. Strikingly, no subtype 6a strain was identified in the north-northeast. IMPORTANCE With a population of greater than 1.3 billion and a territory of >9.6 million square kilometers, China has a total of 34 provinces and municipalities. In such a vast country, the epidemic history and migration trends of HCV are thought to be unique and complex but variable among regions and are unlikely to be represented by those observed in only one or at best a few provinces and municipalities. However, due to the difficulties in recruiting patients, all previous studies for this purpose have been based only on data from limited regions, and therefore, geographical biases were unavoidable. In this study, such biases were greatly reduced because we utilized samples collected from volunteer blood donors in 17 provinces and municipalities. To our knowledge, this is the first study in which the HCV isolates represented such a large portion of the country, and thus, the results should shed light on the current understanding of HCV molecular epidemiology.
Collapse
|