Transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes among Japanese immigrants and natives in Bolivia

Virus Res. 2008 Mar;132(1-2):174-80. doi: 10.1016/j.virusres.2007.12.005. Epub 2008 Jan 22.

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus genotypes are associated with transmission pattern, virological and clinical features and outcome of the chronic infection course. HBV genotypes other than Genotype F (HBV/F) are considered a reflection of human migration into South America. A total of 487 individuals in Bolivia, including Japanese immigrants (n=287) and natives (n=200), were screened for HBV serological markers. Overall 22/487 (4.5%) of the subjects were positive for HBsAg, 217/487 (44.5%) for anti-HBc and 162/487 (33.3%) for anti-HBs. Genotypes were determinable in 22 cases by EIA, followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis in 17 cases. HBV genotype distribution in Japanese and Bolivians was HBV/F (4 and 8); HBV/C (5 and 3); and HBV/B (1 and 1), respectively. Phylogenetic analyses of nine complete and eight partial (HBsAg/pre-core/core region) genomes, revealed that HBV/F strains cluster with previously reported regional strains, whereas HBV/B and HBV/C strains belonged to Asian subgenotype B2 (Ba) and C2 (Ce), respectively. Japanese immigrants might have introduced HBV/B and HBV/C to natives in Bolivia, conversely, exposed to the indigenous HBV/F. This report provides evidence of an inter-communities transmission of HBV revealed by its genotypes. Further study is required to investigate peculiarities of the genotypes in different ethnic groups in Bolivia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Asian People
  • Bolivia / epidemiology
  • Child
  • Emigration and Immigration*
  • Enhancer Elements, Genetic
  • Female
  • Hepatitis Antibodies / blood
  • Hepatitis Antibodies / immunology
  • Hepatitis B / epidemiology
  • Hepatitis B / immunology
  • Hepatitis B / transmission*
  • Hepatitis B / virology
  • Hepatitis B Antigens / blood
  • Hepatitis B Antigens / genetics
  • Hepatitis B virus / classification
  • Hepatitis B virus / genetics*
  • Hepatitis B virus / immunology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutation
  • Phylogeny
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA

Substances

  • Hepatitis Antibodies
  • Hepatitis B Antigens

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AB365437
  • GENBANK/AB365438
  • GENBANK/AB365439
  • GENBANK/AB365440
  • GENBANK/AB365441
  • GENBANK/AB365442
  • GENBANK/AB365443
  • GENBANK/AB365444
  • GENBANK/AB365445
  • GENBANK/AB365446
  • GENBANK/AB365447
  • GENBANK/AB365448
  • GENBANK/AB365449
  • GENBANK/AB365450
  • GENBANK/AB365451
  • GENBANK/AB365452
  • GENBANK/AB365453