Distinct geographical and demographic distribution of hepatitis B virus genotypes in the Canadian Arctic as revealed through an extensive molecular epidemiological survey

[Guest guest]

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2893.2010.01356.x/abstract

Distinct geographical and demographic distribution of hepatitis B virus

genotypes in the Canadian Arctic as revealed through an extensive molecular

epidemiological survey

C. Osiowy1, B. Larke2, E. Giles1

Article first published online: 15 AUG 2010

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2893.2010.01356.x

© 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd

Issue

Journal of Viral Hepatitis

Volume 18, Issue 4, pages e11–e19, April 2011

Summary.  Very little is known of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in Canadian Arctic

indigenous populations, where HBV was considered endemic prior to the

introduction of HBV vaccine. This study expands upon an HBV seroepidemiological

survey conducted between 1983 and 1985 throughout the Canadian Arctic, to

characterize HBV in this population. Archived hepatitis B surface antigen

(HBsAg)-positive sera (n = 401) were processed for HBV DNA, followed by

sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the HBsAg- and HBcAg-coding regions.

Sixty-nine per cent of samples (277/401) were DNA positive, with most having low

viral load (median 3.4 log 10 IU/mL). The predominant HBV genotype observed was

genotype B (HBV/B, 75%), followed by HBV/D (24%) and HBV/A (1%). All HBV/B

strains clustered within subgenotype B6, a newly recognized HBV genotype among

western circumpolar Inuit and Alaska Native people. HBV/D strains included both

D3 (88%) and D4 (12%) subgenotypes, while all HBV/A strains were subgenotype A2.

An association of HBV genotype B with Inuit living in the eastern Arctic and an

association of genotype D with First Nation (Dene) living in the western Arctic

was observed. This study establishes the high prevalence of HBV/B6 and HBV/D

genotypes in Arctic populations and reveals their marked distribution within the

Canadian Arctic based on geographical and demographic attributes.

[Guest guest]

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2893.2010.01356.x/abstract

Distinct geographical and demographic distribution of hepatitis B virus

genotypes in the Canadian Arctic as revealed through an extensive molecular

epidemiological survey

C. Osiowy1, B. Larke2, E. Giles1

Article first published online: 15 AUG 2010

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2893.2010.01356.x

© 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd

Issue

Journal of Viral Hepatitis

Volume 18, Issue 4, pages e11–e19, April 2011

Summary.  Very little is known of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in Canadian Arctic

indigenous populations, where HBV was considered endemic prior to the

introduction of HBV vaccine. This study expands upon an HBV seroepidemiological

survey conducted between 1983 and 1985 throughout the Canadian Arctic, to

characterize HBV in this population. Archived hepatitis B surface antigen

(HBsAg)-positive sera (n = 401) were processed for HBV DNA, followed by

sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the HBsAg- and HBcAg-coding regions.

Sixty-nine per cent of samples (277/401) were DNA positive, with most having low

viral load (median 3.4 log 10 IU/mL). The predominant HBV genotype observed was

genotype B (HBV/B, 75%), followed by HBV/D (24%) and HBV/A (1%). All HBV/B

strains clustered within subgenotype B6, a newly recognized HBV genotype among

western circumpolar Inuit and Alaska Native people. HBV/D strains included both

D3 (88%) and D4 (12%) subgenotypes, while all HBV/A strains were subgenotype A2.

An association of HBV genotype B with Inuit living in the eastern Arctic and an

association of genotype D with First Nation (Dene) living in the western Arctic

was observed. This study establishes the high prevalence of HBV/B6 and HBV/D

genotypes in Arctic populations and reveals their marked distribution within the

Canadian Arctic based on geographical and demographic attributes.