Epidemic history of major genotypes of hepatitis C virus in Uruguay

Castells, Matías; Bello, Gonzalo; Ifrán, Silvana; Pereyra, Silvana; Boschi, Susana; Uriarte, R.; Cristina, Juan; Colina, Rodney

doi:10.1016/j.meegid.2015.03.021

Cited by 5 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…The results of this work, using advanced sequencing techniques such as deep sequencing and molecular cloning, revealed cases of mixed infections involving genotypes 1a and 3a, two of the most frequently detected genotypes in Uruguay [ 63 , 64 ]. These complementary methodologies not only verified the presence of mixed infections, but also revealed the occurrence of inter-genotypic recombinations 1a/3a and 3a/1a within the IRES region.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mixed Infections Unravel Novel HCV Inter-Genotypic Recombinant Forms within the Conserved IRES Region

Echeverría,

Gámbaro,

Beaucourt

et al. 2024

Viruses

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Hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains a significant global health challenge, affecting millions of people worldwide, with chronic infection a persistent threat. Despite the advent of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), challenges in diagnosis and treatment remain, compounded by the lack of an effective vaccine. The HCV genome, characterized by high genetic variability, consists of eight distinct genotypes and over ninety subtypes, underscoring the complex dynamics of the virus within infected individuals. This study delves into the intriguing realm of HCV genetic diversity, specifically exploring the phenomenon of mixed infections and the subsequent detection of recombinant forms within the conserved internal ribosome entry site (IRES) region. Previous studies have identified recombination as a rare event in HCV. However, our findings challenge this notion by providing the first evidence of 1a/3a (and vice versa) inter-genotypic recombination within the conserved IRES region. Utilizing advanced sequencing methods, such as deep sequencing and molecular cloning, our study reveals mixed infections involving genotypes 1a and 3a. This comprehensive approach not only confirmed the presence of mixed infections, but also identified the existence of recombinant forms not previously seen in the IRES region. The recombinant sequences, although present as low-frequency variants, open new avenues for understanding HCV evolution and adaptation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%