Genetic diversity and phylogeographic analysis of human herpesvirus type 8 (HHV-8) in two distant regions of Argentina: Association with the genetic ancestry of the population

• Published in: Infection, genetics and evolution Vol. 85; p. 104523
• Main Authors: Hulaniuk, María Laura, Mojsiejczuk, Laura, Jauk, Federico, Remondegui, Carlos, Mammana, Lilia, Bouzas, María Belén, Zapiola, Inés, Ferro, María Verónica, Ajalla, Claudia, Blejer, Jorgelina, Alter, Adriana, Acevedo, María Elina, Rodríguez, Eulalia, Fernández, Roberto, Bartoli, Sonia, Volonteri, Victoria, Kohan, Dana, Elsner, Boris, Bürgesser, María Virginia, Reynaud, Ana Laura, Sánchez, Marisa, González, Carlos, García Rivello, Hernán, Corach, Daniel, Caputo, Mariela, Trinks, Julieta
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.11.2020
• Subjects: Argentina; Genetic diversity; Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (human herpesvirus type 8); Phylogeography; pp; Argentina; ORF; mtDNA; Phylogeography; KS; MCMC; Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (human herpesvirus type 8); Genetic diversity; MCC; SD; Y-SNPs; FFPE; HHV-8; NWA; MET; MDS; ITPA; HAART; HRMA
• ISSN: 1567-1348; 1567-7257
• DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2020.104523

The genetic diversity of persistent infectious agents, such as HHV-8, correlates closely with the migration of modern humans out of East Africa which makes them useful to trace human migrations. However, there is scarce data about the evolutionary history of HHV-8 particularly in multiethnic Latin American populations. The aims of this study were to characterize the genetic diversity and the phylogeography of HHV-8 in two distant geographic regions of Argentina, and to establish potential associations with pathogenic conditions and the genetic ancestry of the population. A total of 101 HIV-1 infected subjects, 93 Kaposi's Sarcoma (KS) patients and 411 blood donors were recruited in the metropolitan (MET) and north-western regions of Argentina (NWA). HHV-8 DNA was detected by ORF-26 PCR in whole blood, saliva and FFPE tissues. Then, ORF-26 and ORF-K1 were analyzed for subtype assignment. Mitochondrial DNA and Y chromosome haplogroups, as well as autosomal ancestry markers were evaluated in samples in which subtypes could be assigned. Phylogeographic analysis was performed in the ORF-K1 sequences from this study combined with 388 GenBank sequences. HHV-8 was detected in 50.7%, 59.2% and 8% of samples from HIV-1 infected subjects, KS patients and blood donors, respectively. ORF-K1 phylogenetic analyses showed that subtypes A (A1-A5), B1, C (C1-C3) and F were present in 46.9%, 6.25%, 43.75% and 3.1% of cases, respectively. Analyses of ORF-26 fragment revealed that 81.95% of strains were subtypes A/C followed by J, B2, R, and K. The prevalence of subtype J was more commonly observed among KS patients when compared to the other groups. Among KS patients, subtype A/C was more commonly detected in MET whereas subtype J was the most frequent in NWA. Subtypes A/C was significantly associated with Native American maternal haplogroups (p = 0.004), whereas subtype J was related to non-Native American haplogroups (p < 0.0001). Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe and Latin America were the most probable locations from where HHV-8 was introduced to Argentina. These results give evidence of the geographic circulation of HHV-8 in Argentina, suggest the association of ORF-26 subtype J with KS development and provide new insights about its relationship with ancient and modern human migrations and identify the possible origins of this virus in Argentina. •HHV-8 diversity and introduction were studied in multiethnic areas of Argentina.•Eurasian and African ORF-26 and ORF-K1 subtypes (including type F) were identified.•mtDNA genetic ancestry was related to HHV-8 ORF-26 subtypes A/C and J.•HHV-8 was probably introduced from Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe and Latin America.•HHV-8 is a useful marker of ancient and modern human migrations in Argentina.