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Detection and genotyping of GBV‐C virus in the United Arab Emirates
Author(s) -
Abu Odeh Raed O.,
AlMoslih Moslih I.,
AlJokhdar Mohammed Wafi,
Ezzeddine Sinda A.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of medical virology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1096-9071
pISSN - 0146-6615
DOI - 10.1002/jmv.20394
Subject(s) - virology , genotyping , virus , genotype , biology , genetics , gene
GB virus‐C/Hepatitis G virus (GBV‐C/HGV), collectively known as GBV‐C, is spread widely and has been reported to be associated with non A‐E hepatitis. The aim of the current project was to determine the rate of infection and genotypic characteristics of GBV‐C in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A total of 379 plasma/serum samples representing different populations in the UAE and comprising healthy as well as patients positive for HBV and HCV were screened using RT‐PCR/nested PCR of the 5′‐untranslated region (UTR). National subjects (n = 168) and non‐nationals residing in the UAE (n = 211) were tested. The results obtained showed that the rate of GBV‐C infection in healthy nationals, and those positive for HCV or HBV were 11.1%, 14.3%, and 5.7%, respectively, compared to 8.3%, 33.3%, and 8.6%, respectively, in non‐nationals. No statistically significant correlation between infection with GBV‐C and HCV or HBV ( P > 0.05) was found. Sequence analysis of the 5′‐UTR using 37 and 46 clones from 8 and 6 healthy nationals and non‐nationals, respectively, revealed the prevalence of the European/North American genotype 2 when compared to the five reference genotypes in GenBank. J. Med. Virol. 76:534–540, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.