ABSTRACT
The complete genome of a hepatitis B virus (HBV) from Brazil that expressed the subtype adw4 of HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) was cloned and sequenced. The genome, termed w4B, consists of 3215 bp. The overall genetic organization of typical hepadnaviruses with four open reading frames including the preC region was found to be conserved. When comparing the w4B sequence with 19 complete HBV genomes it was, however, found to be more divergent (15%) than any other HBV sequence thus far reported. Until now, no more than 11% divergence has been reported. Distinct from the five known HBV genotypes A to E, w4B made up a new, sixth genotype. The importance of the conserved third start codon in the HBV X gene became apparent in isolate w4B. By mutation, this ATG was out of frame, and by what appears to have been a linked mutation, a new start site two codons downstream was re-established. The significance of several other mutations is discussed.
Subject(s)
Hepatitis B Surface Antigens/genetics , Hepatitis B virus/genetics , Amino Acid Sequence , Base Sequence , Brazil , Gene Expression/genetics , Genome, Viral , Genotype , Hepatitis B virus/classification , Humans , Molecular Sequence Data , Open Reading Frames/geneticsABSTRACT
Antibody to recombinant hepatitis C virus (HCV) protein C100 (anti-C100) was measured for a period of 6 months by enzyme immunoassay in nine prospectively followed non A-nonB (NANBH) cases which occurred after cardiac surgery at a hospital in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). At least seven cases were infected with HCV; four of these developed chronic hepatitis as shown in liver biopsy at the 6th month after transfusion. The first elevation of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) occurred between 15 and 45 days after transfusion and ALT values remained elevated for 45 days in resolving hepatitis, whereas in chronic cases fluctuation levels were observed until the end of the study. Anti-C100 appeared after 15 to 30 days, decreased after some weeks, and rose finally to high concentrations except in one resolving case where it disappeared. We conclude that both in acute and chronic hepatitis C an early antibody response occurs which may, however, be undetectable in some cases. After several months all chronic and some resolving cases develop a second stronger response.