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First molecular characterization of the hepatitis E virus in humans in Cameroon: Confirmation of the HEV outbreak in Touboro, North‐Cameroon
Author(s) -
Modiyinji Abdou Fatawou,
RiveroJuarez Antonio,
LopezLopez Pedro,
Atsama Marie Amougou,
Monamele Chavely Gwladys,
Nola Moise,
Rivero Antonio,
Njouom Richard
Publication year - 2021
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.26277
Subject(s) - hepatitis e virus , virology , outbreak , genotype , biology , polymerase chain reaction , caliciviridae , nested polymerase chain reaction , hepatitis e , phylogenetic tree , molecular epidemiology , reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction , serology , reverse transcriptase , antibody , gene , genetics , messenger rna , norovirus
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a major causative agent of acute viral hepatitis in many regions of the world including Africa. In Cameroon, there is no published molecular study on HEV in humans. However, based on serological assays, the first outbreak of HEV was detected in North‐Cameroon. The objective of this study was to determine the molecular characterization of HEV that circulated during this period. A retrospective study design was used to select serum samples among those collected during the outbreak period. immunoglobulin M positive samples available in sufficient volumes to amplify HEV RNA were selected. RNA was extracted and then amplified by a real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (real time RT‐PCR) assay, followed by a nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (nested RT‐PCR) assay for sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Overall, 24 samples were selected and HEV RNA was amplified by real‐time RT‐PCR in 20 samples. Amongst these, 12 samples were positive for HEV RNA by nested RT‐PCR and yielded good sequencing products. Phylogenetic analysis showed that 10 samples clustered with HEV genotype 1 (subtype 1e) and two samples clustered with HEV genotype 3 (subtype 3f). This study fills the gap of knowledge on the molecular epidemiology of HEV in Cameroon and confirms the first report of the hepatitis E outbreak in North‐Cameroon.