Full-length genomic sequence analysis of new subtype 3k hepatitis E virus isolates with 99.97% nucleotide identity obtained from two consecutive acute hepatitis patients in a city in northeast Japan

J Med Virol. 2017 Jun;89(6):1116-1120. doi: 10.1002/jmv.24743. Epub 2016 Dec 26.

Abstract

Full-length genomic sequences of hepatitis E virus (HEV) obtained from two consecutive cases of acute self-limiting hepatitis E in a city in northeast Japan were determined. Interestingly, two HEV isolates from each patient shared nucleotide identity of 99.97% in 7 225 nucleotides, and a phylogenetic analysis showed that they formed a cluster of Japanese isolates that is considered as a new HEV subtype 3k. The high similarity of HEV sequences of two isolates from these patients in this study suggested that a subtype 3k HEV strain had spread via a commonly distributed food in the city, possibly pig liver.

Keywords: full genome; genotype 3; hepatitis viruses; phylogenetic analysis; subtype classification.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Cluster Analysis
  • Genome, Viral*
  • Hepatitis E / virology*
  • Hepatitis E virus / classification*
  • Hepatitis E virus / genetics*
  • Hepatitis E virus / isolation & purification
  • Humans
  • Japan
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA*
  • Sequence Homology