Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype (GT) distribution in China shows significant geographical and demographic difference. As a routinely tested virus in Chinese blood bank systems, rare molecular epidemiology research in blood donors is reported. Our purpose is to investigate the HCV GT/subtypes distribution, phylogenetic analysis and population genetics in Chinese blood donors. Anti-HCV screen positive samples and donor demographics were collected. HCV Core and E1 gene fragments were amplified by RT-PCR, followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis to determine HCV GTs/subtypes using MEGA 7.0. The population genetics were performed using Arlequin v3.0 and Beast v1.10.4. SPSS Statistics 17.0 software was used to analyze the correlation between HCV GTs/subtypes distribution and demographic characteristics. 419 and 293 samples based on Core and E1 gene respectively were successfully amplified. HCV la, lb, 2a, 3a, 3b, 6a, 6e and 6n were found, and the corresponding proportions were 0.66% (3/455), 58.68% (267/455), 17.80% (81/455) and 5.05% (23/455), 3.52% (16/455), 12.31% (56/455), 0.88% (4/455) and 0.66% (3/455). Samples from Guangxi showed the most abundant genetic diversity with 8 subtypes were found. The number of haplotypes in HCV-1b is higher than 2a and 6a. The negative Tajima's D and Fu's Fs values of HCV-1b, 2a and 6a suggested the population expansion of those HCV subtypes. The distribution of HCV GT showed significant statistical difference by age and ethnicity. Conclusion: An abundance of HCV genetic diversity was found in Chinese blood donors with mainly 1b and then 2a subtype. There were significant geographical and demographic differences in HCV GTs/subtypes among Chinese blood donors. HCV subtype 1b has stronger viability and HCV subtype 6a has experienced significant expansion.
Highlights
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is a single positive strand RNA virus with envelope belonging to the Flaviviridae family
While the initiation of HCV infection is concealed, it still remains as a huge threats to Chinese blood safety
Our aims were: 1) To understand HCV GT and subtype distribution in Chinese blood donors; 2) to investigate the expanding trends of HCV GTs/subtypes using HCV phylogenetic and population dynamics analysis; 3) To provide molecular epidemiology supporting data to improve nucleotide acid test (NAT) assay development based on HCV genome diversity, and to inform public health policy making regarding HCV prevention and control
Summary
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is a single positive strand RNA virus with envelope belonging to the Flaviviridae family. It can cause both acute and chronic hepatitis, ranging in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious, lifelong illness including Liver cirrhosis, liver cancer and liver failure [1]. With the Chinese government banned the paid blood donation, the prevalence of HCV remains stable after a significant reduction in blood donors. HCV infections caused by sexual transmission has been increasing continuously in recent years. While the initiation of HCV infection is concealed, it still remains as a huge threats to Chinese blood safety
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