Complete Genome Sequence of the Human Herpesvirus 6A Strain AJ from Africa Resembles Strain GS from North America.

J Tweedy,J Breuer,C D Donaldson,M A Spyrou,D Depledge,U A Gompels

doi:10.1128/genomea.01498-14

Abstract

The genome sequence of human herpesvirus 6A (HHV-6A) strain AJ was determined in a comparison of target enrichment and long-range PCR using next-generation sequencing methodologies. The analyses show 85 predicted open reading frames (ORFs), conservation with sequenced HHV-6A reference strain U1102, and closest identity to the recently determined GS strain, despite different geographic origins (United States and Gambia).

Highlights

The Roseolovirus genus of the human Betaherpesvirinae subfamily comprises three members: human herpesvirus 6A (HHV6A), the prototype, HHV-6B, and HHV-7
While human herpesvirus 6A (HHV-6A) infant infections are rare in Europe and North America, they have been observed in Africa [9] and are prevalent to a similar extent as HHV-6B in the recently defined germline chromosomally integrated form, ciHHV-6, in which virus genes might be expressed in every cell [10]
We report here the determination of a third HHV-6A strain, AJ, from an adult HIV/AIDS patient from Gambia [15]

Summary

Introduction

The Roseolovirus genus of the human Betaherpesvirinae subfamily comprises three members: human herpesvirus 6A (HHV6A), the prototype, HHV-6B, and HHV-7. HHV-6A has evidence for increased neurotropism, in glial cells, and is identified in glioma and multiple sclerosis patient subsets [4,5,6,7,8]. While HHV-6A infant infections are rare in Europe and North America, they have been observed in Africa [9] and are prevalent to a similar extent as HHV-6B in the recently defined germline chromosomally integrated form, ciHHV-6, in which virus genes might be expressed in every cell [10].

Results

Conclusion