Dynamic changes in hepatitis C virus genotypes and sequence patterns in plasma donors exposed to reinfection

• Published in: Journal of medical virology Vol. 63; no. 3; pp. 228 - 236
• Main Authors: Zhang, Shu-min, Hui, Zhuang, Li, He-min, Qi, Zi-bai, Widell, Anders
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.03.2001; Wiley-Liss
• Subjects: Basic Medicine; Biological and medical sciences; Blood Banks; Blood Donors; Blood Specimen Collection - adverse effects; Cloning, Molecular; Cross Infection - etiology; Genotype; Hepacivirus - classification; Hepacivirus - genetics; Hepatitis C - etiology; Hepatitis C - transmission; Hepatitis C - virology; Hepatitis C Antibodies - analysis; Hepatitis C virus; Human viral diseases; Humans; infected plasma donors; Infectious diseases; Medical and Health Sciences; Medical sciences; Medicin och hälsovetenskap; Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper; Microbiology in the Medical Area; Mikrobiologi inom det medicinska området; Molecular Sequence Data; mutation rate; nosocomial infection; Phylogeny; Polymerase Chain Reaction; quasispecies; Recurrence; RNA, Viral - blood; Viral Core Proteins - immunology; Viral diseases; Viral Envelope Proteins - immunology; Viral hepatitis; Human; Nosocomial infection; Genetic variability; Hepatic disease; Genotype; Infection; Virus; Viral disease; Digestive diseases; Mutation; Transmission from man to man; Flaviviridae; Hepatitis C virus; Hepacivirus; Blood donor; Viral hepatitis C
• ISSN: 0146-6615; 1096-9071; 1096-9071
• DOI: 10.1002/1096-9071(200103)63:3<228::AID-JMV1005>3.0.CO;2-T

Sequential serum samples from four plasma donors (designated A, B, C, and D) at a Chinese blood bank with hepatitis C transmission problems were studied from 1994 to 1997. The samples were examined for antibodies to HCV, for HCV viremia by PCR and HCV genotyping. Co‐ and superinfections were studied by direct sequencing of the 5′‐NCR, core, and HVR‐1 regions, using low and high genotype‐specific primers targeting the HVR‐1, and by cloning of selected samples. Genotype changes occurred in all four donors: A (1b‐2a‐1b), B (1b‐2a‐2a/1b‐1b), C (1b‐2a), and D (1b/2a‐1b). Donor D was married to donor B. The 1b isolates of donor A could not be sequenced in the HVR‐1 due to low‐level viremia. Two early 1b isolates from donors B and C showed high HVR‐1 similarity. The later 1b isolates from B had changed significantly but were identical to the isolate from donor D. Spouses B and D also shared genotype 2a strains. The 2a isolates from donors A, B/D, and C differed by 8–10 nucleotides in the HVR‐1. The frequent changes in genotype and the appearance of homologous isolates from different subjects indicate transmission at the blood bank. These four donors, all identified shortly after infection, developed very few mutations in the HVR‐1 and few quasispecies during a period of 6–18 months. Highly specific primers proved to be superior to cloning for identification of minor virus populations. The results indicate nosocomial transmission of more than one strain at the blood bank studied. J. Med. Virol. 63:228–236, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.