Human pegivirus challenge: detection and molecular characterization in HCV/HIV coinfected individuals

Abstract

is rare. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and genotypic distribution of HPgV in patients attended at a hospital in Rio de Janeiro. Methodology : A RT-PCR assay for specific amplification of 5´UTR region of HPgV genome was performed in 174 serum samples collected from patients under health treatment at a hospital in Rio de Janeiro. The samples were classified into three groups: 56 samples form HCV/HIV coinfected individuals; 58 from HCV mono-infected and 60 from HIV monoinfected individuals. All positive samples were submitted to direct sequencing for genotyping and molecular characterization. Results: The overall prevalence of HPgV-1 was 17.2% (30/174). Among HCV/HIV coinfected patients, HPgV prevalence was 14.3% (8/56), and all of them were successfully sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the presence of genotypes 2a (12.5%), 2b (62.5%) and 3 (25%). HPgV was also found in coinfection with HCV (8.6%; 5/58) and HIV (28.3%; 17/60). Conclusion : Our findings demonstrate the high frequency of HPgV among HCV/HIV coinfected, HCV and HIV monoinfected individuals attending a public hospital in Rio de Janeiro. Circulating HPgV genotypes described here have already been reported in past Brazilian studies, but this is the first data about HCV/HIV patients in Rio de Janeiro city. This study intends to contribute with insights about epidemiological characteristics and impact (if there is any) of HPgV in the natural course of HCV and/ or HIV infection.