Deep sequencing identifies two genotypes and high viral genetic diversity of human pegivirus (GB virus C) in rural Ugandan patients.

ABSTRACT: Human pegivirus (HPgV), formerly 'GB virus C' or 'hepatitis G virus', is a member of the genus Flavivirus (Flaviviridae) that has garnered significant attention due to its inhibition of HIV, including slowing disease progression and prolonging survival in HIV-infected patients. Currently, there are six proposed HPgV genotypes that have roughly distinct geographical distributions. Genotypes 2 and 3 are the most comprehensively characterized, whereas those genotypes occurring on the African continent, where HPgV prevalence is highest, are less well studied. Using deep sequencing methods, we identified complete coding HPgV sequences in four of 28 patients (14.3%) in rural Uganda, east Africa. One of these sequences corresponds to genotype 1 and is the first complete genome of this genotype fr

SUBMITTER: Ghai RR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3836497 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature