Summary.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has high genomic variability and, since its discovery, at least six different types and an increasing number of sub-types have been reported. Genotype 1 is the most prevalent genotype found in South America. Recent phylogenetic analysis of strains isolated in Uruguay revealed the presence of a different genetic lineage from major sub-types 1a and 1b. In order to study if type 1 HCV strains circulating in the South American region can be associated with this genetic lineage, sequence data obtained from the 5′ non-coding region from 6 type 1 patients from Chile, were compared with sequences obtained from 12 type 1 Uruguayan and 9 type 1 Brazilian patients as well as 17 different strains of all types isolated elsewhere. The phylogenetic analysis revealed the existence of type 1 strains of this novel genetic lineage in all South American countries studied, and indicates a diversification of HCV viruses in the South American region.
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Received October 30, 2000/Accepted March 27, 2001
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Vega, I., Colina, R., García, L. et al. Diversification of hepatitis C viruses in South America reveals a novel genetic lineage. Arch. Virol. 146, 1623–1629 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s007050170084
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s007050170084