PLoS ONE (Jan 2015)

HBV genotypic variability in Cuba.

  • Carmen L Loureiro,
  • Julio C Aguilar,
  • Jorge Aguiar,
  • Verena Muzio,
  • Eduardo Pentón,
  • Daymir Garcia,
  • Gerardo Guillen,
  • Flor H Pujol

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0118959
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10, no. 3
p. e0118959

Abstract

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The genetic diversity of HBV in human population is often a reflection of its genetic admixture. The aim of this study was to explore the genotypic diversity of HBV in Cuba. The S genomic region of Cuban HBV isolates was sequenced and for selected isolates the complete genome or precore-core sequence was analyzed. The most frequent genotype was A (167/250, 67%), mainly A2 (149, 60%) but also A1 and one A4. A total of 77 isolates were classified as genotype D (31%), with co-circulation of several subgenotypes (56 D4, 2 D1, 5 D2, 7 D3/6 and 7 D7). Three isolates belonged to genotype E, two to H and one to B3. Complete genome sequence analysis of selected isolates confirmed the phylogenetic analysis performed with the S region. Mutations or polymorphisms in precore region were more common among genotype D compared to genotype A isolates. The HBV genotypic distribution in this Caribbean island correlates with the Y lineage genetic background of the population, where a European and African origin prevails. HBV genotypes E, B3 and H isolates might represent more recent introductions.