In vivo evidence for ribavirin-induced mutagenesis of the hepatitis E virus genome.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection can take chronic courses in immunocompromised patients potentially leading to liver cirrhosis and liver failure. Ribavirin (RBV) is currently the only treatment option for many patients, but treatment failure can occur which has been associated with the appearance of a distinct HEV polymerase mutant (G1634R). Here, we performed a detailed analysis of HEV viral intrahost evolution during chronic hepatitis E infections.

Design

Illumina deep sequencing was performed for the detection of intrahost variation in the HEV genome of chronically infected patients. Novel polymerase mutants were investigated in vitro using state-of-the-art HEV cell culture models.

Results

Together, these data revealed that (1) viral diversity differed m

SUBMITTER: Todt D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5036239 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature