Hepatitis G virus genotypes in Australia, Papua New Guinea and the SolomonIslands: A possible new Pacific type identified

Background: Hepatitis G Virus (HGV)/GB Virus-C (GBV-C) is a newly discovere d RNA virus. Nucleotide sequence comparison and phylogenetic studies of the 5' untranslated region (5'UTR) within the viral genome have identified at least three different types which have provisionally been classified as typ e I (West African origin), type 2 (North American origin) and type 3 (Asian origin). Methods and Results: The products of RT-PCR were sequenced by using blood d onors and patients infected with HGV/GBV-C in Australia, Papua New Guinea a nd the Solomon Islands to investigate the genotype distribution in this are a of the world. All the Australian isolates showed strong sequence homology with type 2, while the Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands sequences were more closely related, but differ from type 3, which has previously been re ported from isolates studied within Asia. Conclusions: Phylogenetic analysis suggests that these latter sequences are either a new HGV/GBV-C Pacific type or a subtype of the Asian type RNA vir us. Isolates homologous with type 1 were not identified in these population groups. (C) 2000 Blackwell Science Asia Pty Ltd.