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Shixing Tang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • High prevalence and viremia of human Pegivirus 2 in the HIV-infected population in Honghe Prefecture, Yunnan Province.
    Archives of virology, 2020
    Co-Authors: Shixing Tang, Zuoyi Bao, Xiaolin Wang, Yongjian Liu, Jingwan Han, Zhichao Pei, Zhengwei Wan
    Abstract:

    Human Pegivirus 2 (HPgV-2) is a recently recognized Pegivirus of the family Flaviviridae. To investigate the epidemic features of HPgV-2 circulating in the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected population, we tested for antibodies and viral RNA of HPgV-2 and hepatitis C virus (HCV) with retrospective plasma samples collected from 771 HIV infections with multiple risk behaviors in Honghe Prefecture of Yunnan Province. A total of 195 subjects (25.29%) were seroreactive to HPgV-2, and 41 (5.32%) were RNA positive. Although the positive rate of HPgV-2 antibodies in HIV/HCV-coinfected individuals (27.69%) was significantly higher than that of HIV monoinfections (20.82%) (p = 0.036), this is the first report of HPgV-2 viremia in HIV-infected individuals without HCV infection and the presence of two HPgV-2 lineages in China. Our data indicate that HPgV-2 can also be transmitted sexually, which might be facilitated when combined with HCV infection, injecting drug use, and risky sexual behavior, which appear to have a synergistic effect on HPgV-2 infection. Phylogenetic analysis of 26 near-full-length genome sequences showed that the HPgV-2 strains in China are divided into two clusters.

  • Effect of human Pegivirus route of transmission on the genetic distribution of the virus: an institution based cross-sectional study.
    Virology journal, 2019
    Co-Authors: Wubet Taklual, Shixing Tang, Wu Yue
    Abstract:

    Introduction Human Pegivirus (HPgV), formally called GB virus C (GBV-C), is a member of the Pegivirus genus in Flaviviridae family. High prevalence of HPgV infection is seen among sex workers, blood transfusion recipients and intravenous drug users (IDUs). So far, there are seven genotypes and many subtypes identified in different countries. The predominant genotype in Asia including China is genotype 3, although genotype 7 has been reported recently in China. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the transmission routes of HPgV infection on the genotype distribution of the virus, to determine the prevalence rate, and identify the dominant genotype among men who have sex with men (MSM) and IDUs co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus type one (HIV-1) in Guangzhou, China.

  • Effect of human Pegivirus route of transmission on the genetic distribution of the virus: an institution based cross-sectional study
    BMC, 2019
    Co-Authors: Wubet Taklual, Shixing Tang, Wu Yue
    Abstract:

    Abstract Introduction Human Pegivirus (HPgV), formally called GB virus C (GBV-C), is a member of the Pegivirus genus in Flaviviridae family. High prevalence of HPgV infection is seen among sex workers, blood transfusion recipients and intravenous drug users (IDUs). So far, there are seven genotypes and many subtypes identified in different countries. The predominant genotype in Asia including China is genotype 3, although genotype 7 has been reported recently in China. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the transmission routes of HPgV infection on the genotype distribution of the virus, to determine the prevalence rate, and identify the dominant genotype among men who have sex with men (MSM) and IDUs co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus type one (HIV-1) in Guangzhou, China. Methods A total of 131 MSM and 70 IDUs co-infected with HIV-1 were randomly selected in Guangdong Dermatology Hospital. HPgV RNA was detected by nested reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using primers. The PCR products were sequenced and phylogenetically analyzed by using MEGA6.06 version software to determine the genotypes. Chi-square and Fisher exact test were implemented for comparing the proportion between different variables. Results The prevalence of HPgV infection was 32.9% among IDUs and 18.3% in MSM with a statistically significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.02). In IDU group, 82.6% infected with genotype 3 and the rest (17.4%) were categorized to genotype 7. Similarly, in MSM group, 83.3% belonged to genotype 3, and the remaining 16.7% were classified as sub-genotype 2a and 2b. Conclusion In Guangzhou, China, the prevalence rate of HPgV infection in IDUs was higher than MSM. The dominant genotype in the two groups was genotype 3. Our results indicated that routes of transmission did not affect the genotype distribution but did affect the prevalence rate of HPgV infection

  • second human Pegivirus in hepatitis c virus infected and hepatitis c virus hiv 1 co infected persons who inject drugs china
    Emerging Infectious Diseases, 2018
    Co-Authors: Haiying Wang, Zhengwei Wan, Qiang Sun, Nalin Zhu, Xuqi Ren, Shuyun Deng, Yigang Tong, Shixing Tang
    Abstract:

    We report the presence of the second human Pegivirus (HPgV-2) in Guangdong and Sichuan Provinces in China. The prevalence of HPgV-2 in hepatitis C virus/HIV-1-co-infected persons who inject drugs was 12.9% in Guangdong and 15.9% in Sichuan. This population is at high risk for HPgV-2 infection.

  • Identification and genetic characterization of equine Pegivirus in China.
    The Journal of general virology, 2018
    Co-Authors: Weiping Tang, Haiying Wang, Zhengwei Wan, Naling Zhu, Youwen Gao, Qundi Cai, Shixing Tang
    Abstract:

    In 2013, two new viruses, equine Pegivirus (EPgV) and Theiler’s disease-associated virus (TDAV), both belonging to the genus Pegivirus within the family Flaviviridae, were identified. To investigate the geographical distribution and genetic diversity of these two viruses in China, we screened EPgV and TDAV infection in imported race horses and Chinese work horses by using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). EPgV was detected in 10.8 % (8/74) of the total horses tested, with a prevalence of 5.8 and 22.7 % in the race horses and work horses, respectively. No TDAV infection was found. A near full-length genome sequence of EPgV was obtained that showed an identity of 89.5–90.6 % at the nucleotide level and 98.1–98.3 % at the amino acid level with an American strain, C0035, and another Chinese strain, LW/216, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis showed two different clusters of the sequences from the race horses and work horses, indicating a difference in virus origin. Our results demonstrated a higher positive rate of EPgV in the Chinese work horses than in the imported race horses, a moderate genetic diversity of EPgV strains worldwide and possibly no liver pathogenesis for EPgV infection.

George J. Dawson - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Human Pegivirus 2 exhibits minimal geographic and temporal genetic diversity.
    Virology, 2019
    Co-Authors: Kenn Forberg, George J. Dawson, Gavin Cloherty, Mary A. Rodgers, Silvia Sauleda, Ana Olivo, Ana Vallari, Marta Bes, Maria Piron, M. Berg
    Abstract:

    Abstract We applied an NGS based target capture approach to amplify HPgV-2 sequences from metagenomic libraries and enable full genome characterization. Despite expanded geographical sampling, sequence variability remains low, with diversity concentrated in approximately 3.3% of all amino acids. Serial samples from one HPgV-2 positive individual co-infected with comparable titers of HIV, HCV, and GBV-C showed that HPgV-2 remains highly stable over several weeks compared to other RNA viruses, despite a similarly error-prone polymerase. The consistent epidemiological association with and structural similarities to HCV, and the weak positive correlation of HCV and HPgV-2 titers shown here, suggests it may benefit from co-infection. While minimal selective pressure on HPgV-2 to evolve could suggest fitness, the rarity of HPgV-2 and the tight phylogenetic clustering of global strains likely indicates origination from a common source and a virus that is ill-suited to its host. Sporadic infections may explain the limited genetic diversity observed worldwide.

  • Development of a high-throughput multiplexed real time RT-PCR assay for detection of human Pegivirus 1 and 2.
    Journal of virological methods, 2016
    Co-Authors: Matthew Frankel, Kenn Forberg, Kelly E Coller, M. Berg, John Hackett, Gavin Cloherty, George J. Dawson
    Abstract:

    Human Pegivirus 2 (HPgV-2) was recently identified in the bloodstream of HCV-infected and multiply transfused individuals. Initial reports show HPgV-2 circulates at a low prevalence in HCV co-infected individuals, necessitating testing of large cohorts of samples to identify infected persons. The identification of additional HPgV-2 cases was facilitated by the development of a high throughput and reliable molecular reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay intended for use on the automated Abbott m2000 system with a capability of extracting and testing 96 samples at once. A dual target approach was taken to reduce the risk of a false-negative result, amplifying sequences within the 5' UTR and NS2/3 coding regions of HPgV-2. The assay was expanded to multiplex detection of the other human Pegivirus, HPgV-1 (formerly GBV-C), to allow simultaneous prevalence comparison. The limit of detection (LOD; 95% detection) for HPgV-2 was experimentally determined to be 126 copies/mL. Through use of the newly developed multiplex assay, 21 strains of HPgV-2 circulating in HCV past or present infections were identified, with all strains confirmed by next generation sequencing. The multiplexed assay has high specificity and showed no cross-reactivity of HPgV-2 with HPgV-1 or other Flaviviruses. This automated assay will be instrumental in future studies addressing HPgV-2 pathogenicity, prevalence, and sequence diversity.

  • Antibodies to the Novel Human Pegivirus 2 Are Associated with Active and Resolved Infections
    Journal of clinical microbiology, 2016
    Co-Authors: Kelly E Coller, Matthew Frankel, Kenn Forberg, M. Berg, John Hackett, Rita Surani, Charles Y. Chiu, George J. Dawson
    Abstract:

    A novel blood-borne human Pegivirus (HPgV), HPgV-2, was recently identified in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected individuals and individuals who had received multiple transfusions. Robust serological assays capable of detecting antibodies in HPgV-2-infected individuals are needed to establish global seroprevalence rates and potential disease associations. The two objectives of this study were to determine the utility of mammalian cell-expressed HPgV-2 E2 glycoprotein or bacterium-expressed nonstructural protein 4AB (NS4AB) in detecting past or present infections and to compare the total prevalence (antibody and RNA positive) of HPgV-2 with that of the other human Pegivirus, HPgV-1 (GB virus C [GBV-C]). HPgV-2 E2 antibodies were detected in 13 (92.86%) of 14 HPgV-2-viremic cases, and NS4AB antibodies were detected in 8 (57.14%) of 14 cases. The HPgV-2 seroprevalence was significantly higher (P < 0.0001) among HCV-infected individuals (3.31% [24 of 726 samples]) than among non-HCV-infected individuals (0.30% [4 of 1,348 samples]). Of 31 anti-E2-positive samples, 22 had supplemental supporting data; 12 samples were HPgV-2 RNA positive and 10 nonviremic samples were antibody positive for peptides or NS4AB. The total prevalence of HPgV-1 (35.00%) was significantly higher than that of HPgV-2 (1.33%) in all populations tested (P < 0.0001). For HPgV-1, codetection of antibodies to E2 and RNA was infrequent (5.88%). In contrast, antibodies to E2 were detected in most HPgV-2-viremic individuals (92.86%), as is observed among individuals chronically infected with HCV, most of whom are antibody positive for HCV E2. Our studies indicate that HPgV-2 circulates with HCV and displays a profile similar to the serological profile of HCV-infected persons, although the pathogenicity of this virus has yet to be established.

  • Discovery of a Novel Human Pegivirus in Blood Associated with Hepatitis C Virus Co-Infection
    Journal of Hepatology, 2016
    Co-Authors: M. Berg, Matthew Frankel, Andrew Aronsohn, Kenn Forberg, M. Marcinkus, Samia N Naccache, Kelly E Coller, Kevin Cheng, George J. Dawson
    Abstract:

    © 2015 Berg et al.Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human Pegivirus (HPgV), formerly GBV-C, are the only known human viruses in the Hepacivirus and Pegivirus genera, respectively, of the family Flaviviridae. We present the discovery of a second Pegivirus, provis

  • Discovery of a Novel Human Pegivirus in Blood Associated with Hepatitis C Virus Co-Infection.
    PLoS pathogens, 2015
    Co-Authors: M. Berg, Matthew Frankel, Andrew Aronsohn, Kenn Forberg, M. Marcinkus, Samia N Naccache, Kelly E Coller, Kevin Cheng, Deanna Lee, George J. Dawson
    Abstract:

    Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human Pegivirus (HPgV), formerly GBV-C, are the only known human viruses in the Hepacivirus and Pegivirus genera, respectively, of the family Flaviviridae. We present the discovery of a second Pegivirus, provisionally designated human Pegivirus 2 (HPgV-2), by next-generation sequencing of plasma from an HCV-infected patient with multiple bloodborne exposures who died from sepsis of unknown etiology. HPgV-2 is highly divergent, situated on a deep phylogenetic branch in a clade that includes rodent and bat Pegiviruses, with which it shares

Zhengwei Wan - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • PCR-based screening and phylogenetic analysis of rat Pegivirus (RPgV) carried by rodents in China.
    The Journal of veterinary medical science, 2020
    Co-Authors: Youwen Gao, Zhengwei Wan, Shing-xing Tang
    Abstract:

    Rodent-borne Pegiviruses were initially identified in serum samples from desert wood-rats in 2013, and subsequently in serum samples from commensal rats in 2014. However, the prevalence and phylogenetic characteristics of rodent Pegiviruses in China are poorly understood. In this study, we screened serum samples collected from wild rats in southern China between 2015 and 2016 for the presence of rat Pegivirus (RPgV) by PCR. Among the 314 serum samples from murine rodents (Rattus norvegicus, Rattus tanezumi, and Rattus losea) and house shrews (Suncus murinus), 21.66% (68/314) tested positive for RPgV. Out of these, 23.81% (62/219) of samples from R. norvegicus tested positive, which was significantly higher than that for the other species: 7.69% (1/13), 5.88% (2/34), and 6.25% (3/48) for R. tanezumi, R. losea, and S. murinus, respectively (χ2=18.91, P

  • High prevalence and viremia of human Pegivirus 2 in the HIV-infected population in Honghe Prefecture, Yunnan Province.
    Archives of virology, 2020
    Co-Authors: Shixing Tang, Zuoyi Bao, Xiaolin Wang, Yongjian Liu, Jingwan Han, Zhichao Pei, Zhengwei Wan
    Abstract:

    Human Pegivirus 2 (HPgV-2) is a recently recognized Pegivirus of the family Flaviviridae. To investigate the epidemic features of HPgV-2 circulating in the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected population, we tested for antibodies and viral RNA of HPgV-2 and hepatitis C virus (HCV) with retrospective plasma samples collected from 771 HIV infections with multiple risk behaviors in Honghe Prefecture of Yunnan Province. A total of 195 subjects (25.29%) were seroreactive to HPgV-2, and 41 (5.32%) were RNA positive. Although the positive rate of HPgV-2 antibodies in HIV/HCV-coinfected individuals (27.69%) was significantly higher than that of HIV monoinfections (20.82%) (p = 0.036), this is the first report of HPgV-2 viremia in HIV-infected individuals without HCV infection and the presence of two HPgV-2 lineages in China. Our data indicate that HPgV-2 can also be transmitted sexually, which might be facilitated when combined with HCV infection, injecting drug use, and risky sexual behavior, which appear to have a synergistic effect on HPgV-2 infection. Phylogenetic analysis of 26 near-full-length genome sequences showed that the HPgV-2 strains in China are divided into two clusters.

  • second human Pegivirus in hepatitis c virus infected and hepatitis c virus hiv 1 co infected persons who inject drugs china
    Emerging Infectious Diseases, 2018
    Co-Authors: Haiying Wang, Zhengwei Wan, Qiang Sun, Nalin Zhu, Xuqi Ren, Shuyun Deng, Yigang Tong, Shixing Tang
    Abstract:

    We report the presence of the second human Pegivirus (HPgV-2) in Guangdong and Sichuan Provinces in China. The prevalence of HPgV-2 in hepatitis C virus/HIV-1-co-infected persons who inject drugs was 12.9% in Guangdong and 15.9% in Sichuan. This population is at high risk for HPgV-2 infection.

  • Identification and genetic characterization of equine Pegivirus in China.
    The Journal of general virology, 2018
    Co-Authors: Weiping Tang, Haiying Wang, Zhengwei Wan, Naling Zhu, Youwen Gao, Qundi Cai, Shixing Tang
    Abstract:

    In 2013, two new viruses, equine Pegivirus (EPgV) and Theiler’s disease-associated virus (TDAV), both belonging to the genus Pegivirus within the family Flaviviridae, were identified. To investigate the geographical distribution and genetic diversity of these two viruses in China, we screened EPgV and TDAV infection in imported race horses and Chinese work horses by using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). EPgV was detected in 10.8 % (8/74) of the total horses tested, with a prevalence of 5.8 and 22.7 % in the race horses and work horses, respectively. No TDAV infection was found. A near full-length genome sequence of EPgV was obtained that showed an identity of 89.5–90.6 % at the nucleotide level and 98.1–98.3 % at the amino acid level with an American strain, C0035, and another Chinese strain, LW/216, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis showed two different clusters of the sequences from the race horses and work horses, indicating a difference in virus origin. Our results demonstrated a higher positive rate of EPgV in the Chinese work horses than in the imported race horses, a moderate genetic diversity of EPgV strains worldwide and possibly no liver pathogenesis for EPgV infection.

  • a novel human Pegivirus hpgv 2 hhpgv 1 is tightly associated with hepatitis c virus hcv infection and hcv human immunodeficiency virus type 1 coinfection
    Clinical Infectious Diseases, 2018
    Co-Authors: Haiying Wang, Zhengwei Wan, Naling Zhu, Yujuan Guan, Zhiwei Xie, Fuchun Zhang, Shixing Tang
    Abstract:

    Background Human Pegivirus type 2 (HPgV-2) is a novel blood-borne human Pegivirus that mainly infects hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected subjects. We have investigated the prevalence of HPgV-2 in China, its association with HCV and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), and the impact on HCV viral load and liver damage. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with both blood donors and HCV- and HIV-1-infected patients in Guangzhou, China. All subjects were screened for anti-HPgV-2 and HPgV-2 RNA. Demographic and clinical information were obtained from electronic medical records. Results We tested 8198 serum or plasma samples. Only 0.15% (6/4017) of healthy blood donors were positive for anti-HPgV-2 and negative for HPgV-2 RNA. No HPgV-2 viremia was detected in hepatitis B virus- or HIV-1-monoinfected individuals. The relatively high frequency of HPgV-2 infection was observed in 1.23% (30/2440) and 0.29% (7/2440) of HCV-infected persons by serological assay and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Furthermore, anti-HPgV-2 and HPgV-2 RNA were detected in 8.91% (18/202) and 3.47% (7/202), respectively, of HCV/HIV-1-coinfected subjects. HPgV-2 persistent infection was documented in about 30% of anti-HPgV-2-positive individuals. In addition, HPgV-2 infection may not affect HCV-related liver injury and HCV viral load. Conclusions Our results indicate the rarity of HPgV-2 infection in the general population and tight association with HCV, in particular with HCV/HIV-1 coinfection. HPgV-2 appears not to worsen HCV-related liver damage. Our study provides new findings about the association of HPgV-2 and HCV/HIV-1 and the impact of HPgV-2 infection on HCV replication and pathogenesis.

Haiying Wang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • second human Pegivirus in hepatitis c virus infected and hepatitis c virus hiv 1 co infected persons who inject drugs china
    Emerging Infectious Diseases, 2018
    Co-Authors: Haiying Wang, Zhengwei Wan, Qiang Sun, Nalin Zhu, Xuqi Ren, Shuyun Deng, Yigang Tong, Shixing Tang
    Abstract:

    We report the presence of the second human Pegivirus (HPgV-2) in Guangdong and Sichuan Provinces in China. The prevalence of HPgV-2 in hepatitis C virus/HIV-1-co-infected persons who inject drugs was 12.9% in Guangdong and 15.9% in Sichuan. This population is at high risk for HPgV-2 infection.

  • Identification and genetic characterization of equine Pegivirus in China.
    The Journal of general virology, 2018
    Co-Authors: Weiping Tang, Haiying Wang, Zhengwei Wan, Naling Zhu, Youwen Gao, Qundi Cai, Shixing Tang
    Abstract:

    In 2013, two new viruses, equine Pegivirus (EPgV) and Theiler’s disease-associated virus (TDAV), both belonging to the genus Pegivirus within the family Flaviviridae, were identified. To investigate the geographical distribution and genetic diversity of these two viruses in China, we screened EPgV and TDAV infection in imported race horses and Chinese work horses by using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). EPgV was detected in 10.8 % (8/74) of the total horses tested, with a prevalence of 5.8 and 22.7 % in the race horses and work horses, respectively. No TDAV infection was found. A near full-length genome sequence of EPgV was obtained that showed an identity of 89.5–90.6 % at the nucleotide level and 98.1–98.3 % at the amino acid level with an American strain, C0035, and another Chinese strain, LW/216, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis showed two different clusters of the sequences from the race horses and work horses, indicating a difference in virus origin. Our results demonstrated a higher positive rate of EPgV in the Chinese work horses than in the imported race horses, a moderate genetic diversity of EPgV strains worldwide and possibly no liver pathogenesis for EPgV infection.

  • a novel human Pegivirus hpgv 2 hhpgv 1 is tightly associated with hepatitis c virus hcv infection and hcv human immunodeficiency virus type 1 coinfection
    Clinical Infectious Diseases, 2018
    Co-Authors: Haiying Wang, Zhengwei Wan, Naling Zhu, Yujuan Guan, Zhiwei Xie, Fuchun Zhang, Shixing Tang
    Abstract:

    Background Human Pegivirus type 2 (HPgV-2) is a novel blood-borne human Pegivirus that mainly infects hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected subjects. We have investigated the prevalence of HPgV-2 in China, its association with HCV and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), and the impact on HCV viral load and liver damage. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with both blood donors and HCV- and HIV-1-infected patients in Guangzhou, China. All subjects were screened for anti-HPgV-2 and HPgV-2 RNA. Demographic and clinical information were obtained from electronic medical records. Results We tested 8198 serum or plasma samples. Only 0.15% (6/4017) of healthy blood donors were positive for anti-HPgV-2 and negative for HPgV-2 RNA. No HPgV-2 viremia was detected in hepatitis B virus- or HIV-1-monoinfected individuals. The relatively high frequency of HPgV-2 infection was observed in 1.23% (30/2440) and 0.29% (7/2440) of HCV-infected persons by serological assay and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Furthermore, anti-HPgV-2 and HPgV-2 RNA were detected in 8.91% (18/202) and 3.47% (7/202), respectively, of HCV/HIV-1-coinfected subjects. HPgV-2 persistent infection was documented in about 30% of anti-HPgV-2-positive individuals. In addition, HPgV-2 infection may not affect HCV-related liver injury and HCV viral load. Conclusions Our results indicate the rarity of HPgV-2 infection in the general population and tight association with HCV, in particular with HCV/HIV-1 coinfection. HPgV-2 appears not to worsen HCV-related liver damage. Our study provides new findings about the association of HPgV-2 and HCV/HIV-1 and the impact of HPgV-2 infection on HCV replication and pathogenesis.

  • Second Human Pegivirus in Hepatitis C Virus-Infected and Hepatitis C Virus/HIV-1-Co-infected Persons Who Inject Drugs, China.
    Emerging infectious diseases, 2018
    Co-Authors: Haiying Wang, Zhengwei Wan, Qiang Sun, Nalin Zhu, Xuqi Ren, Shuyun Deng
    Abstract:

    We report the presence of the second human Pegivirus (HPgV-2) in Guangdong and Sichuan Provinces in China. The prevalence of HPgV-2 in hepatitis C virus/HIV-1-co-infected persons who inject drugs was 12.9% in Guangdong and 15.9% in Sichuan. This population is at high risk for HPgV-2 infection.

  • Second Human Pegivirus in Hepatitis C Virus–Infected and Hepatitis C Virus/HIV-1–Co-infected Persons Who Inject Drugs, China
    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2018
    Co-Authors: Haiying Wang, Zhengwei Wan, Qiang Sun, Nalin Zhu, Xuqi Ren, Shuyun Deng
    Abstract:

    We report the presence of the second human Pegivirus (HPgV-2) in Guangdong and Sichuan Provinces in China. The prevalence of HPgV-2 in hepatitis C virus/HIV-1–co-infected persons who inject drugs was 12.9% in Guangdong and 15.9% in Sichuan. This population is at high risk for HPgV-2 infection

M. Berg - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Human Pegivirus 2 exhibits minimal geographic and temporal genetic diversity.
    Virology, 2019
    Co-Authors: Kenn Forberg, George J. Dawson, Gavin Cloherty, Mary A. Rodgers, Silvia Sauleda, Ana Olivo, Ana Vallari, Marta Bes, Maria Piron, M. Berg
    Abstract:

    Abstract We applied an NGS based target capture approach to amplify HPgV-2 sequences from metagenomic libraries and enable full genome characterization. Despite expanded geographical sampling, sequence variability remains low, with diversity concentrated in approximately 3.3% of all amino acids. Serial samples from one HPgV-2 positive individual co-infected with comparable titers of HIV, HCV, and GBV-C showed that HPgV-2 remains highly stable over several weeks compared to other RNA viruses, despite a similarly error-prone polymerase. The consistent epidemiological association with and structural similarities to HCV, and the weak positive correlation of HCV and HPgV-2 titers shown here, suggests it may benefit from co-infection. While minimal selective pressure on HPgV-2 to evolve could suggest fitness, the rarity of HPgV-2 and the tight phylogenetic clustering of global strains likely indicates origination from a common source and a virus that is ill-suited to its host. Sporadic infections may explain the limited genetic diversity observed worldwide.

  • Development of a high-throughput multiplexed real time RT-PCR assay for detection of human Pegivirus 1 and 2.
    Journal of virological methods, 2016
    Co-Authors: Matthew Frankel, Kenn Forberg, Kelly E Coller, M. Berg, John Hackett, Gavin Cloherty, George J. Dawson
    Abstract:

    Human Pegivirus 2 (HPgV-2) was recently identified in the bloodstream of HCV-infected and multiply transfused individuals. Initial reports show HPgV-2 circulates at a low prevalence in HCV co-infected individuals, necessitating testing of large cohorts of samples to identify infected persons. The identification of additional HPgV-2 cases was facilitated by the development of a high throughput and reliable molecular reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay intended for use on the automated Abbott m2000 system with a capability of extracting and testing 96 samples at once. A dual target approach was taken to reduce the risk of a false-negative result, amplifying sequences within the 5' UTR and NS2/3 coding regions of HPgV-2. The assay was expanded to multiplex detection of the other human Pegivirus, HPgV-1 (formerly GBV-C), to allow simultaneous prevalence comparison. The limit of detection (LOD; 95% detection) for HPgV-2 was experimentally determined to be 126 copies/mL. Through use of the newly developed multiplex assay, 21 strains of HPgV-2 circulating in HCV past or present infections were identified, with all strains confirmed by next generation sequencing. The multiplexed assay has high specificity and showed no cross-reactivity of HPgV-2 with HPgV-1 or other Flaviviruses. This automated assay will be instrumental in future studies addressing HPgV-2 pathogenicity, prevalence, and sequence diversity.

  • Antibodies to the Novel Human Pegivirus 2 Are Associated with Active and Resolved Infections
    Journal of clinical microbiology, 2016
    Co-Authors: Kelly E Coller, Matthew Frankel, Kenn Forberg, M. Berg, John Hackett, Rita Surani, Charles Y. Chiu, George J. Dawson
    Abstract:

    A novel blood-borne human Pegivirus (HPgV), HPgV-2, was recently identified in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected individuals and individuals who had received multiple transfusions. Robust serological assays capable of detecting antibodies in HPgV-2-infected individuals are needed to establish global seroprevalence rates and potential disease associations. The two objectives of this study were to determine the utility of mammalian cell-expressed HPgV-2 E2 glycoprotein or bacterium-expressed nonstructural protein 4AB (NS4AB) in detecting past or present infections and to compare the total prevalence (antibody and RNA positive) of HPgV-2 with that of the other human Pegivirus, HPgV-1 (GB virus C [GBV-C]). HPgV-2 E2 antibodies were detected in 13 (92.86%) of 14 HPgV-2-viremic cases, and NS4AB antibodies were detected in 8 (57.14%) of 14 cases. The HPgV-2 seroprevalence was significantly higher (P < 0.0001) among HCV-infected individuals (3.31% [24 of 726 samples]) than among non-HCV-infected individuals (0.30% [4 of 1,348 samples]). Of 31 anti-E2-positive samples, 22 had supplemental supporting data; 12 samples were HPgV-2 RNA positive and 10 nonviremic samples were antibody positive for peptides or NS4AB. The total prevalence of HPgV-1 (35.00%) was significantly higher than that of HPgV-2 (1.33%) in all populations tested (P < 0.0001). For HPgV-1, codetection of antibodies to E2 and RNA was infrequent (5.88%). In contrast, antibodies to E2 were detected in most HPgV-2-viremic individuals (92.86%), as is observed among individuals chronically infected with HCV, most of whom are antibody positive for HCV E2. Our studies indicate that HPgV-2 circulates with HCV and displays a profile similar to the serological profile of HCV-infected persons, although the pathogenicity of this virus has yet to be established.

  • Discovery of a Novel Human Pegivirus in Blood Associated with Hepatitis C Virus Co-Infection
    Journal of Hepatology, 2016
    Co-Authors: M. Berg, Matthew Frankel, Andrew Aronsohn, Kenn Forberg, M. Marcinkus, Samia N Naccache, Kelly E Coller, Kevin Cheng, George J. Dawson
    Abstract:

    © 2015 Berg et al.Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human Pegivirus (HPgV), formerly GBV-C, are the only known human viruses in the Hepacivirus and Pegivirus genera, respectively, of the family Flaviviridae. We present the discovery of a second Pegivirus, provis

  • Discovery of a Novel Human Pegivirus in Blood Associated with Hepatitis C Virus Co-Infection.
    PLoS pathogens, 2015
    Co-Authors: M. Berg, Matthew Frankel, Andrew Aronsohn, Kenn Forberg, M. Marcinkus, Samia N Naccache, Kelly E Coller, Kevin Cheng, Deanna Lee, George J. Dawson
    Abstract:

    Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human Pegivirus (HPgV), formerly GBV-C, are the only known human viruses in the Hepacivirus and Pegivirus genera, respectively, of the family Flaviviridae. We present the discovery of a second Pegivirus, provisionally designated human Pegivirus 2 (HPgV-2), by next-generation sequencing of plasma from an HCV-infected patient with multiple bloodborne exposures who died from sepsis of unknown etiology. HPgV-2 is highly divergent, situated on a deep phylogenetic branch in a clade that includes rodent and bat Pegiviruses, with which it shares