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Molecular characterization of hepatitis A virus isolates from Argentina
Author(s) -
Munné María S.,
Vladimirsky Sara,
Otegui Lucio,
Soto Sonia,
Brajterman Leonardo,
Castro Raúl,
Velasco María C. Cañero,
Bonnano Alicia,
Fernández Eduardo,
Remondegui Carlos,
Passeggi Carlos,
Rodríguez Claudia,
Pizarro Marta,
Fabre Adriana,
Moreiro Rita,
Quarleri Jorge,
González Jorge E.
Publication year - 2007
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.20818
Subject(s) - virology , molecular epidemiology , genotype , outbreak , biology , amino acid substitution , hepatitis a , virus , hepatitis a virus , incidence (geometry) , genetics , hepatitis , gene , mutation , physics , optics
Hepatitis A, a vaccine preventable disease, is now of transitional or intermediate endemicity in Argentina, as the epidemiologic pattern of the disease has shifted with improvements in living conditions in some parts of the country. Increase in the susceptibility of older children and adults has led to increasing disease incidence. Molecular epidemiology has played an important role in the understanding of HAV infection by identifying modes of spreading and by permitting the monitoring of changes in circulating virus brought about by prevention programs. South American isolates characterized are limited. Eighty‐two sporadic and outbreak isolates from Argentina were sequenced in the VP1/2A region of HAV genome over a 9‐year period. All the isolates belonged to subgenotype IA. All our sequences grouped into two big clusters. Apparently, at least two lineages have been co‐circulating in the same place at the same time. Despite great genetic variability, few point amino acid changes could be deduced. Four sequences showed an Arg → Lys substitution at 1–297 which characterized the genotype IB at the amino acid level. Many isolates carried a conservative amino acid substitution Leu → Ile at position 42 of the 2A domain, previously described as a possible fingerprint of HAV sequences in Brazil. The other rare changes have been found before, except for a 1–277 Asn → Ser substitution displayed in two isolates that has not been previously reported. Argentina recently implemented universal vaccination in 1‐year‐old children. Molecular tools would be useful in an active surveillance program. J. Med. Virol. 79:887–894, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.