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Tracing hepatitis B virus to the 16th century in a Korean mummy
Author(s) -
Kahila BarGal Gila,
Kim Myeung Ju,
Klein Athalia,
Shin Dong Hoon,
Oh Chang Seok,
Kim Jong Wan,
Kim TaeHyun,
Kim Seok Bae,
Grant Paul R.,
Pappo Orit,
Spigelman Mark,
Shouval Daniel
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.488
H-Index - 361
eISSN - 1527-3350
pISSN - 0270-9139
DOI - 10.1002/hep.25852
Subject(s) - hepatitis b virus , virology , sequence (biology) , biology , population , whole genome sequencing , genome , genotype , virus , genetics , gene , medicine , environmental health
A rare find of a mummified child from the 16th century AD, in Korea, with relatively preserved organs, enabled a search for ancient hepatitis B virus (aHBV) DNA sequences from laparoscopic‐derived liver biopsies. Analysis of the complete aHBV genome (3,215 base pairs) revealed a unique HBV genotype C2 (HBV/C2) sequence commonly spread in Southeast Asia, which probably represents an HBV that infected the Joseon Dynasty population in Korea. Comparison of the aHBV sequences with contemporary HBV/C2 DNA sequences revealed distinctive differences along four open reading frames. Genetic diversity between contemporary and recovered aHBV/C2 DNA may be the result of immunologic, environmental, and/or pharmacologic pressures. The calculated time of most recent common ancestor suggests that the Korean HBV sequence origin dates back at least 3,000 years and possibly as long as 100,000 years. This isolate most likely represents the earliest human HBV sequence that colonized Southeast Asia by human migration. Conclusion: This study describes the complete sequence of the oldest HBV isolate and the most ancient full viral genome known so far. (H EPATOLOGY 2012;56:1671–1680)