Molecular epidemiology of hepatitis B virus in Afro-Venezuelan populations

Arch Virol. 2002 Sep;147(9):1829-36. doi: 10.1007/s00705-002-0842-2.

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection among Venezuelan populations of African origin was analyzed. These populations exhibited lower HBV prevalence than the one found in the African continent. Sequence analysis of 6 isolates showed that 3 belonged to genotype F, while the 3 others were HBV genotype A. HBV genotype A was more common in the Afro-Venezuelan groups than in the general Venezuelan population. This might reflect the introduction of genotype A during the slavery period. The absence of the African genotype E among these isolates supports the hypothesis of a recent origin for this HBV genotype. HBV genotype F has already been introduced to these relatively isolated communities.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Africa / ethnology
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Genotype
  • Hepatitis B virus / classification*
  • Hepatitis B virus / genetics
  • Humans
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Venezuela