Premium
Geographic distribution of hepatitis C virus genotype 6 subtypes in Thailand
Author(s) -
Akkarathamrongsin Srunthron,
Praianantathavorn Kesmanee,
Hacharoen Nisachol,
Theamboonlers Apiradee,
Tangkijvanich Pisit,
Tanaka Yasuhito,
Mizokami Masashi,
Poovorawan Yong
Publication year - 2010
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.21680
Subject(s) - ns5b , genotype , virology , hepatitis c virus , phylogenetic tree , genetic diversity , biology , hepacivirus , virus , reverse transcriptase , polymerase chain reaction , genetics , gene , medicine , population , environmental health
The nucleotide sequence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 6 found mostly in south China and south‐east Asia, displays profound genetic diversity. The aim of this study to determine the genetic variability of HCV genotype 6 (HCV‐6) in Thailand and locate the subtype distribution of genotype 6 in various geographic areas. Four hundred nineteen anti‐HCV positive serum samples were collected from patients residing in ‐ the central part of the country. HCV RNA positive samples based on reverse transcriptase‐ polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) of the 5′UTR were amplified with primers specific for the core and NS5B regions. Nucleotide sequences of both regions were analyzed for the genotype by phylogenetic analysis. To determine geographic distribution of HCV‐6 subtypes, a search of the international database on subtype distribution in the respective countries was conducted. Among 375 HCV RNA positive samples, 71 had HCV‐6 based on phylogenetic analysis of partial core and NS5B regions. The subtype distribution in order of predominance was 6f (56%), 6n (22%), 6i (11%), 6j (10%), and 6e (1%). Among the 13 countries with different subtypes of HCV‐6, most sequences have been reported from Vietnam. Subtype 6f was found exclusively in Thailand where five distinct HCV‐6 subtypes are circulating. HCV‐6, which is endemic in south China and south‐east Asia, displays profound genetic diversity and may have evolved over a considerable period of time. J. Med. Virol. 82:257–262, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.