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High prevalence and autochtonous transmission of human pegivirus (HPgV‐1) in blood donors in the extreme southern of Brazil
Author(s) -
Da Mota Luísa D.,
FingerJardim Fabiana,
Silva Cláudio M.,
Germano Fabia.,
Nader Maiba M.,
Gonçalves Carla Vitola,
Da Hora Vanusa P.,
Silveira Jussara,
Basso Rossana P.,
Soares Marcelo A.,
Martínez Ana M.B.
Publication year - 2019
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.25291
Subject(s) - genotyping , genotype , virology , biology , gb virus c , population , transmission (telecommunications) , polymerase chain reaction , virus , viral disease , flaviviridae , medicine , genetics , environmental health , gene , electrical engineering , engineering
Recent studies have suggested that human pegivirus 1 (HPgV‐1) may have some pathogenic potential. In the southernmost region of Brazil, studies on HPgV‐1 are scarce, and circulating genotypes have not yet been identified. The current study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of HPgV‐1 among blood donors from the southernmost region of Brazil and identify the genotypes involved with associated factors. A cross‐sectional study was conducted with 281 blood donors, who had their plasma subjected to RNA extraction, complementary DNA synthesis, HPgV‐1 detection by nested polymerase chain reaction, and subsequent genotyping. The observed prevalence of HPgV‐1‐RNA was 21.7%. The only variable that was significantly associated with virus infection was the relationship status of the donor. Single or no fixed partner blood donors were twice as likely to have HPgV‐1 (95% CI, 1.12 to 4.56; P = 0.02). Genotype 2—subtypes 2b (69%) and 2a (29%)—was the most prevalent. In the absence of risk factors for parenteral transmission, it is likely that sexual transmission was the route of infection in the individuals studied. Further work will be needed to determine whether this virus is inert in the population, or if there are potential deleterious effects in infected individuals.