Abstract
Differences in pathogenesis and the probability of becoming a chronic carrier depend on the age at which hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is acquired, ranging from 82% in infants less than 6 months of age to 15 to 30% in older children. HBV genotypes from 22 pediatric patients from two areas that differ in prevalence have been determined. Phylogenetic analysis shows a clear difference between the genotype distribution in Buenos Aires, a low-prevalence area, and that found in Gualeguay, Entre Ríos, a high-prevalence area. While the analysis allocated the sequences in the Buenos Aires group to genotypes A (36%), D (9%), and F (55%), the Gualeguay group presented exclusively genotype A isolates with very low nucleotide divergence, which suggests a strong founder viral population. The high prevalence of genotype F in the Buenos Aires group and its high intragroup heterogeneity agree with the American origin of this genotype.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Argentina / epidemiology
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Base Sequence
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Child
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Child, Preschool
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DNA Primers / genetics
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DNA, Viral / genetics
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Genetic Variation
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Genotype
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Hepatitis B / epidemiology*
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Hepatitis B / virology*
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Hepatitis B virus / classification
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Hepatitis B virus / genetics*
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Hepatitis B virus / isolation & purification*
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Hepatitis, Chronic / epidemiology
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Hepatitis, Chronic / virology
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Humans
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Infant
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Molecular Epidemiology
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Phylogeny
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Polymerase Chain Reaction
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Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
Associated data
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GENBANK/AF043559
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GENBANK/AF043560
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GENBANK/AF043561
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GENBANK/AF043562
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GENBANK/AF043563
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GENBANK/AF043564
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GENBANK/AF043565
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GENBANK/AF043566
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GENBANK/AF043567
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GENBANK/AF043568
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GENBANK/AF043569
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GENBANK/AF043570
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GENBANK/AF043571
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GENBANK/AF043572
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GENBANK/AF043573
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GENBANK/AF043574
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GENBANK/AF043575
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GENBANK/AF043576
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GENBANK/AF043577
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GENBANK/AF043578
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GENBANK/AF043579
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GENBANK/AF043580