Phylogenetic Analysis of New Hepatitis B Virus Isolates From Nigeria Supports Endemicity of Genotype E in West Africa

Abstract

Isolates of hepatitis B viruses were collected from 20 acute and chronic hepatitis patients in a highly endemic region of Nigeria. Sequencing classified the isolates to the ayw4, as they all contained the amino acid variations characteristic for that serolype. In the pre-S2 region of five isolates, three to seven amino acids were deleted, suggesting that immune escape mutations previously associated only with chronic HBV infection may be observed also in acute disease. Phylogenetic analysis of the complete pre-SZ/S (large S1 genes (831 nt) demonstrated that all the viruses belonged to the same genotype E. S far, no isolates of genotype E have been found in any other region of the world, including America. This may suggest a relatively recent introduction of this genotype into humans and would explain the relatively low genetic diversity of viruses belonging to this genotype. One genotype Evirus had baen found previously in a chimpanzee, and viruses belonging to the CHIMP genotype are related to other genotype E viruses. These findings are compatible with transmission of genotype E viruses from chimpanzees to humans