Characterization of Human Pegivirus (HPgV) in Patients with Acute Hepatitis in Brazil: Epidemiology and Genetic Diversity

• Grant number: 24/06518-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: April 01, 2025
• End date: September 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Molecular Genetics and Genetics of Microorganisms
• Principal Investigator: João Renato Rebello Pinho
• Grantee: Aldilene Silva Munhoz
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Human Pegivirus (HPgV), formerly known as GB virus C (GBV-C) or hepatitis G virus (HGV), belongs to the Flaviviridae family, classified in the Pegivirus genus. Initially associated with hepatic infections, it was identified independently by two research groups. In 2016, a taxonomic review renamed it as HPgV, dividing it into HPgV-1 and HPgV-2. Transmitted through various routes including sexual, vertical, intravenous, and contact with infected blood, the virus can persist asymptomatically in immunocompromised individuals. Globally, it affects approximately 750 million people. In Brazil, HPgV-1 is prevalent, especially in subgenotypes 2a and 2b. This study aims to understand the diversity and evolution of HPgV in patients with acute hepatitis, both mono-infected and co-infected with other clinically relevant viruses, across the five regions of Brazil. The study has a sample of approximately 1500 patients from the 5 Brazilian regions diagnosed with acute viral hepatitis. Diagnosis confirmation was done through serological and molecular tests. Additionally, virome sequencing of these patients was performed. These data are now available for additional bioinformatics analyses as proposed by this project. Bioinformatics analyses include sequence quality assessment, viral genome retrieval, genome characterization and annotation, as well as metadata organization. Furthermore, descriptive statistical analyses, phylogenetic inferences, and molecular clock calculations will be conducted. It is expected that this study will significantly contribute to a better understanding of HPgV, a virus that has not yet been fully characterized. The obtained results promise to provide valuable information on the epidemiology and genetic diversity of HPgV in patients who are also co-infected with acute hepatitis and HIV in Brazil, with potential implications globally.