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Nishiya AS, de Almeida-Neto C, Witkin SS, Ferreira SC, Salles NA, Nogueira FAH, Oliveira CDL, Rocha V, Mendrone Júnior A. Improved detection of hepatitis C virus-positive blood donors and determination of infection status. Transfus Med 2022; 33:159-164. [PMID: 36251615 DOI: 10.1111/tme.12930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In low-risk populations, variability in the sensitivity of current serological tests for Hepatitis C virus (HCV) blood donor screening may lead to the presence of false-positive results. This contributes to the unnecessary loss of blood donor samples as well as to difficulty in accurate donor counselling. The present study determined the optimal cut-off value of a chemiluminescent immunoassay for identification of HCV-reactive blood donors. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS In a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of 193 973 blood donations, 578 samples that were positive for HCV antibody in a chemiluminescent immunoassay and/or RNA screening tests were identified. Blood from 379 of these positive samples was available for retesting by a second confirmatory HCV immunoassay followed by a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Donors were also recalled for a new analysis. RESULTS Only 71 (18.7%) blood samples remained HCV-positive upon retesting, while 233 (61.5%) now tested negative and 75 (19.8%) yielding indeterminate results. A signal to cutoff ratio ≥4.32 was determined as the best differential threshold between a positive and negative result, increasing the positive predictive value from 27.3% to 66.7%. CONCLUSION Using a higher threshold for an HCV-positive blood sample enhances the chemiluminescent immunoassay screening test´s accuracy and helps to improve donor counselling and notification processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna S Nishiya
- Fundação Pró-Sangue Hemocentro de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Laboratory of Medical Investigation in Pathogenesis and targeted therapy in Oncoimmunohematology (LIM-31), Department of Hematology, Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Cesar de Almeida-Neto
- Fundação Pró-Sangue Hemocentro de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Disciplina de Ciências Médicas, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Steven S Witkin
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Suzete C Ferreira
- Fundação Pró-Sangue Hemocentro de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Laboratory of Medical Investigation in Pathogenesis and targeted therapy in Oncoimmunohematology (LIM-31), Department of Hematology, Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Nanci A Salles
- Fundação Pró-Sangue Hemocentro de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Vanderson Rocha
- Fundação Pró-Sangue Hemocentro de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Laboratory of Medical Investigation in Pathogenesis and targeted therapy in Oncoimmunohematology (LIM-31), Department of Hematology, Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Disciplina de Ciências Médicas, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, Brazil.,Churchill Hospital, Oxford University, Oxford, UK
| | - Alfredo Mendrone Júnior
- Fundação Pró-Sangue Hemocentro de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Laboratory of Medical Investigation in Pathogenesis and targeted therapy in Oncoimmunohematology (LIM-31), Department of Hematology, Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Date T, Sugiyama M, Lkhagvasuren D, Wakita T, Oyunsuren T, Mizokami M. Prevalence of equine hepacivirus infection in Mongolia. Virus Res 2020; 282:197940. [PMID: 32259615 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2020.197940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Revised: 01/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Equine hepacivirus (EHV) belongs to the hepacivirus A and is related to hepatitis C virus (HCV). This virus shows hepatic tropism and is known to chronically infect horses. EHV has been reported from various countries, but the prevalence in Mongolia, where large horse populations are pastured, remains unknown. This study collected serum samples from horses in six areas across Mongolia, in order to investigate the status of infection. The possibility of human infection was also examined. The results showed an infection rate among horses of about 40 % in all regions. However, no evidence of EHV viremia was found in human serum. A mutation characteristic of Mongolian EHV was found in the 5'-untranslated region of the viral sequence. Molecular phylogenetic trees for core, NS3, and NS5B sequences showed the formation of two clusters depending on the area from which samples were taken. The same results were obtained from molecular phylogenetic analyses using the full genome. From detailed calculations of genetic diversity calculated using the full genome, EHV appears divisible into two subgenotypes. Blood samples were collected again after a 7-month interval to examine infection persistence. Seventeen of 19 horses retested showed positive results for EHV after 7 months, suggesting a high rate of persistent infection. These results indicate a relatively higher frequency of EHV infection in Mongolia than in Europe or North America, with virus strains divided into at least two subgenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoko Date
- Genome Medical Sciences Project, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-7-1 Kohnodai, Ichikawa, Chiba, 272-8516, Japan
| | - Masaya Sugiyama
- Genome Medical Sciences Project, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-7-1 Kohnodai, Ichikawa, Chiba, 272-8516, Japan.
| | - Damdindorj Lkhagvasuren
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biology, Mongolian Academy of Sciences, Peace av.54b, Bayanzurkh 3, Ulaanbaatar, 13330, Mongolia
| | - Takaji Wakita
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8640, Japan
| | - Tsendsuren Oyunsuren
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biology, Mongolian Academy of Sciences, Peace av.54b, Bayanzurkh 3, Ulaanbaatar, 13330, Mongolia
| | - Masashi Mizokami
- Genome Medical Sciences Project, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-7-1 Kohnodai, Ichikawa, Chiba, 272-8516, Japan
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Roles of the 5' Untranslated Region of Nonprimate Hepacivirus in Translation Initiation and Viral Replication. J Virol 2018; 92:JVI.01997-17. [PMID: 29343570 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01997-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 01/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The 5' untranslated region (UTR) of hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is composed of four domains (I, II, III, and IV) and a pseudoknot, is essential for translation and viral replication. Equine nonprimate hepacivirus (EHcV) harbors a 5' UTR consisting of a large 5'-terminal domain (I); three additional domains (I', II, and III), which are homologous to domains I, II, and III, respectively, of HCV; and a pseudoknot, in the order listed. In this study, we investigated the roles of the EHcV 5' UTR in translation and viral replication. The internal ribosome entry site (IRES) activity of the EHcV 5' UTR was lower than that of the HCV 5' UTR in several cell lines due to structural differences in domain III. Domains I and III of EHcV were functional in the HCV 5' UTR in terms of IRES activity and the replication of the subgenomic replicon (SGR), although domain II was not exchangeable between EHcV and HCV for SGR replication. Furthermore, the region spanning domains I and I' of EHcV (the 5'-proximal EHcV-specific region) improved RNA stability and provided the HCV SGR with microRNA 122 (miR-122)-independent replication capability, while EHcV domain I alone improved SGR replication and RNA stability irrespective of miR-122. These data suggest that the region spanning EHcV domains I and I' improves RNA stability and viral replication regardless of miR-122 expression. The 5'-proximal EHcV-specific region may represent an inherent mechanism to facilitate viral replication in nonhepatic tissues.IMPORTANCE EHcV is the closest viral homolog to HCV among other hepaciviruses. HCV exhibits a narrow host range and liver-specific tropism, while epidemiological reports suggest that EHcV infects the liver and respiratory organs in horses, donkeys, and dogs. However, the mechanism explaining the differences in host or organ tropism between HCV and EHcV is unknown. In this study, our data suggest that the 5' untranslated region (UTR) of EHcV is composed of an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) element that is functionally exchangeable with HCV IRES elements. Furthermore, the 5'-proximal EHcV-specific region enhances viral replication and RNA stability in a miR-122-independent manner. Our data suggest that the region upstream of domain II in the EHcV 5' UTR contributes to the differences in tissue tropism observed between these hepaciviruses.
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Differential Infection Patterns and Recent Evolutionary Origins of Equine Hepaciviruses in Donkeys. J Virol 2016; 91:JVI.01711-16. [PMID: 27795428 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01711-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2016] [Accepted: 10/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major human pathogen. Genetically related viruses in animals suggest a zoonotic origin of HCV. The closest relative of HCV is found in horses (termed equine hepacivirus [EqHV]). However, low EqHV genetic diversity implies relatively recent acquisition of EqHV by horses, making a derivation of HCV from EqHV unlikely. To unravel the EqHV evolutionary history within equid sister species, we analyzed 829 donkeys and 53 mules sampled in nine European, Asian, African, and American countries by molecular and serologic tools for EqHV infection. Antibodies were found in 278 animals (31.5%), and viral RNA was found in 3 animals (0.3%), all of which were simultaneously seropositive. A low RNA prevalence in spite of high seroprevalence suggests a predominance of acute infection, a possible difference from the mostly chronic hepacivirus infection pattern seen in horses and humans. Limitation of transmission due to short courses of infection may explain the existence of entirely seronegative groups of animals. Donkey and horse EqHV strains were paraphyletic and 97.5 to 98.2% identical in their translated polyprotein sequences, making virus/host cospeciation unlikely. Evolutionary reconstructions supported host switches of EqHV between horses and donkeys without the involvement of adaptive evolution. Global admixture of donkey and horse hepaciviruses was compatible with anthropogenic alterations of EqHV ecology. In summary, our findings do not support EqHV as the origin of the significantly more diversified HCV. Identification of a host system with predominantly acute hepacivirus infection may enable new insights into the chronic infection pattern associated with HCV. IMPORTANCE The evolutionary origins of the human hepatitis C virus (HCV) are unclear. The closest animal-associated relative of HCV occurs in horses (equine hepacivirus [EqHV]). The low EqHV genetic diversity implies a relatively recent acquisition of EqHV by horses, limiting the time span for potential horse-to-human infections in the past. Horses are genetically related to donkeys, and EqHV may have cospeciated with these host species. Here, we investigated a large panel of donkeys from various countries using serologic and molecular tools. We found EqHV to be globally widespread in donkeys and identify potential differences in EqHV infection patterns, with donkeys potentially showing enhanced EqHV clearance compared to horses. We provide strong evidence against EqHV cospeciation and for its capability to switch hosts among equines. Differential hepacivirus infection patterns in horses and donkeys may enable new insights into the chronic infection pattern associated with HCV.
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Pfaender S, Walter S, Todt D, Behrendt P, Doerrbecker J, Wölk B, Engelmann M, Gravemann U, Seltsam A, Steinmann J, Burbelo PD, Klawonn F, Feige K, Pietschmann T, Cavalleri JMV, Steinmann E. Assessment of cross-species transmission of hepatitis C virus-related non-primate hepacivirus in a population of humans at high risk of exposure. J Gen Virol 2015; 96:2636-2642. [PMID: 26041875 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.000208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The recent discovery of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related viruses in different animal species has raised new speculations regarding the origin of HCV and the possibility of a zoonotic source responsible for the endemic HCV transmission. As a consequence, these new findings prompt questions regarding the potential for cross-species transmissions of hepaciviruses. The closest relatives to HCV discovered to date are the non-primate hepaciviruses (NPHVs), which have been described to infect horses. To evaluate the risk of a potential zoonotic transmission, we analysed NPHV RNA and antibodies in humans with occupational exposure to horses in comparison with a low-risk group. Both groups were negative for NPHV RNA, even though low seroreactivities against various NPHV antigens could be detected irrespective of the group. In conclusion, we did not observe evidence of NPHV transmission between horses and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Pfaender
- Institute of Experimental Virology, Twincore - Centre of Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Feodor-Lynen-Str. 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Stephanie Walter
- Institute of Experimental Virology, Twincore - Centre of Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Feodor-Lynen-Str. 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Daniel Todt
- Institute of Experimental Virology, Twincore - Centre of Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Feodor-Lynen-Str. 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Patrick Behrendt
- Institute of Experimental Virology, Twincore - Centre of Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Feodor-Lynen-Str. 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Juliane Doerrbecker
- Institute of Experimental Virology, Twincore - Centre of Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Feodor-Lynen-Str. 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Benno Wölk
- Institute of Virology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,LADR Medical Laboratory Dr Kramer & Colleagues, Geesthacht, Germany
| | - Michael Engelmann
- Institute of Experimental Virology, Twincore - Centre of Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Feodor-Lynen-Str. 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Ute Gravemann
- German Red Cross Blood Service NSTOB, Institute Springe, Springe, Germany
| | - Axel Seltsam
- German Red Cross Blood Service NSTOB, Institute Springe, Springe, Germany
| | - Joerg Steinmann
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Peter D Burbelo
- Dental Clinical Research Core, National Institute of Dental Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Frank Klawonn
- Bioinformatics and Statistics Research Group, Department of Cellular Proteomics, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Braunschweig, Germany.,Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences, Department of Computer Science, Wolfenbuettel, Germany
| | - Karsten Feige
- Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Thomas Pietschmann
- Institute of Experimental Virology, Twincore - Centre of Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Feodor-Lynen-Str. 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Eike Steinmann
- Institute of Experimental Virology, Twincore - Centre of Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Feodor-Lynen-Str. 7, 30625 Hannover, Germany
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Scheel TKH, Simmonds P, Kapoor A. Surveying the global virome: identification and characterization of HCV-related animal hepaciviruses. Antiviral Res 2015; 115:83-93. [PMID: 25545071 PMCID: PMC5081135 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2014.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2014] [Revised: 12/15/2014] [Accepted: 12/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Recent advances in sequencing technologies have greatly enhanced our abilities to identify novel microbial sequences. Thus, our understanding of the global virome and the virome of specific host species in particular is rapidly expanding. Identification of animal viruses is important for understanding animal disease, the origin and evolution of human viruses, as well as zoonotic reservoirs for emerging infections. Although the human hepacivirus, hepatitis C virus (HCV), was identified 25years ago, its origin has remained elusive. In 2011, the first HCV homolog was reported in dogs but subsequent studies showed the virus to be widely distributed in horses. This indicated a wider hepacivirus host range and paved the way for identification of rodent, bat and non-human primate hepaciviruses. The equine non-primate hepacivirus (NPHV) remains the closest relative of HCV and is so far the best characterized. Identification and characterization of novel hepaciviruses may in addition lead to development of tractable animal models to study HCV persistence, immune responses and pathogenesis. This could be particular important, given the current shortage of immunocompetent models for robust HCV infection. Much remains to be learned on the novel hepaciviruses, including their association with disease, and thereby how relevant they will become as HCV model systems and for studies of animal disease. This review discusses how virome analysis led to identification of novel hepaci- and pegiviruses, their genetic relationship and characterization and the potential use of animal hepaciviruses as models to study hepaciviral infection, immunity and pathogenesis. This article forms part of a symposium in Antiviral Research on "Hepatitis C: Next steps toward global eradication."
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Affiliation(s)
- Troels K H Scheel
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, Center for the Study of Hepatitis C, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, United States; Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Disease and Clinical Research Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark; Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Peter Simmonds
- Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Amit Kapoor
- Center for Infection and Immunity, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States.
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