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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Hepatitis Delta virus genotype 8 infection in Northeast Brazil: Inheritance from African slaves?

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Author(s):
Barros, L. M. F. [1] ; Gomes-Gouvea, M. S. [2] ; Pinho, J. R. R. [2] ; Alvarado-Mora, M. V. [2] ; Dos Santos, A. [1] ; Mendes-Correa, M. C. J. [3] ; Caldas, A. J. M. [1] ; Sousa, M. T. [1] ; Santos, M. D. C. [1] ; Ferreira, A. S. P. [1]
Total Authors: 10
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Fed Maranhao, Univ Hosp, Sao Luis, Maranhao - Brazil
[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo Inst Trop Med, BR-05508 Sao Paulo - Brazil
[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Med, Dept Infect Dis, Sao Paulo - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 3
Document type: Journal article
Source: VIRUS RESEARCH; v. 160, n. 1-2, p. 333-339, SEP 2011.
Web of Science Citations: 24
Abstract

Hepatitis Delta virus (HDV) is endemic worldwide, but its prevalence varies in different geographical areas. While in the Brazilian Amazon, HDV is known to be endemic and to represent a significant public health problem, few studies have assessed its prevalence in other regions in the country. This study evaluated the seroprevalence of HDV among HBsAg chronic carriers from Maranhao state, a region located in the Northeast of Brazil. Among 133 patients, 5 had anti-HD, of whom 3 had HDV RNA. HDV genotypes were characterized by Bayesian phylogenetic analysis of nucleotide sequences from the HDAg coding region. HDV-3 was identified in one patient who lives in Maranhao, but was born in Amazonas state (Western Amazon basin). Phylogenetic analysis shows that this HDV-3 sequence grouped with other HDV-3 sequences isolated in this state, which suggests that the patient probably contracted HDV infection there. Surprisingly, the other two patients were infected with HDV-8, an African genotype. These patients were born and have always lived in Urbano Santos, a rural county of Maranhao state, moreover they had never been to Africa and denied any contact with people from that continent. This is the first description of the HDV-8 in non-native African populations. This genotype may have been introduced to Brazil through the slaves brought to the country from the West Africa regions during the 16-18th centuries. Our results indicate that the need of clinical and epidemiological studies to investigate the presence of this infection in other areas in Brazil. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 10/51208-2 - Prevalence of primary resistance to antiviral therapy against hepatitis B in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection and not submitted to treatment
Grantee:Maria Cássia Jacintho Mendes Corrêa
Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
FAPESP's process: 10/50081-9 - Prevalence of primary resistance to antiviral therapy against hepatitis B in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection and not submitted to treatment
Grantee:Michele Soares Gomes Gouvêa
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate