Novel subgenotypes of hepatitis B virus genotypes C and D in Papua, Indonesia

J Clin Microbiol. 2008 Jul;46(7):2160-6. doi: 10.1128/JCM.01681-07. Epub 2008 May 7.

Abstract

Eight genotypes (A to H) and nine subtypes (adw2, adw4, ayw1, ayw2, ayw3, ayw4, adrq+, adrq-, and ayr) of hepatitis B virus (HBV) have been identified worldwide. They appear to be associated with geographical distribution, virological characteristics, and possibly clinical outcomes. We performed sequence analysis of part of the S gene and the entire precore/core gene of HBV isolates obtained from HBsAg-positive blood donors in Papua Province, Indonesia. Phylogenetic analysis of the S gene sequences revealed that 23 (85.2%) of the 27 HBV isolates tested belonged to genotype C (HBV/C) and 2 (7.4%) each to HBV/B and HBV/D. Interestingly, 19 (82.6%) of the 23 isolates of HBV/C clustered in a branch that was distinct from the previously reported subgenotypes C1 to C5 (HBV/C1 to HBV/C5). Similarly, two isolates of HBV/D clustered in a branch distinct from the reported subgenotypes HBV/D1 to HBV/D5. Phylogenetic analysis of the entire precore/core gene confirmed the consistent presence of the distinct branches in HBV/C and HBV/D. We therefore propose novel subgenotypes designated HBV/C6 and HBV/D6. The majority of HBV/C6 isolates in Papua had alanine at positions 159 and 177 (A159/A177) in the HBsAg. A159/A177 is different from the determinants for adrq+ (A159/V177), found throughout Asia, and adrq- (V159/A177), found in New Caledonia and Polynesia, possibly representing a unique antigenic group (provisionally referred to as adrq indeterminate). In conclusion, we have identified two novel HBV subgenotypes, HBV/C6 and HBV/D6, the first of which is the most prevalent subgenotype of HBV in Papua, Indonesia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Blood Donors
  • DNA Primers / genetics
  • DNA, Viral / chemistry
  • DNA, Viral / genetics*
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Hepatitis B / virology*
  • Hepatitis B Core Antigens / genetics
  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / genetics
  • Hepatitis B virus / classification*
  • Hepatitis B virus / genetics
  • Hepatitis B virus / isolation & purification*
  • Humans
  • Indonesia
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Phylogeny
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • DNA, Viral
  • Hepatitis B Core Antigens
  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AB334299
  • GENBANK/AB334300
  • GENBANK/AB334301
  • GENBANK/AB334302
  • GENBANK/AB334303
  • GENBANK/AB354882
  • GENBANK/AB354883
  • GENBANK/AB354884
  • GENBANK/AB354885
  • GENBANK/AB354886
  • GENBANK/AB354887
  • GENBANK/AB354888
  • GENBANK/AB354889
  • GENBANK/AB354890
  • GENBANK/AB354891
  • GENBANK/AB354892
  • GENBANK/AB354893
  • GENBANK/AB354894
  • GENBANK/AB354895
  • GENBANK/AB354896
  • GENBANK/AB354897
  • GENBANK/AB354898
  • GENBANK/AB354899
  • GENBANK/AB354900
  • GENBANK/AB354901
  • GENBANK/AB354902
  • GENBANK/AB354903
  • GENBANK/AB354904
  • GENBANK/AB354905
  • GENBANK/AB354906
  • GENBANK/AB354907
  • GENBANK/AB354908
  • GENBANK/AB355452
  • GENBANK/AB355453
  • GENBANK/AB355454
  • GENBANK/AB355455
  • GENBANK/AB355456