Genomic analysis of a recently identified virus ( XXXX virus) and genotypes D and H by polymerase chain reaction.

@entity1 @entity778 @entity409 @entity16646 @entity325 @entity99
BACKGROUND/AIMS: @entity16646 virus (SENV) was discovered in 1999 as a DNA virus with hepatotropic properties. Nine genotypes (A-I) have been identified with genotypes D and H being more prevalent in cases of chronic @entity99 . Attempts to determine whether SENV causes @entity409 have been hampered by limited diagnostic testing. METHODS: In the present study, we developed two PCR based assays; a general SENV screening and genotype-specific assay. RESULTS: By screening PCR, the specificity for all SENV genotypes and SENV-related sequences was 20/20 (100%) with confirmation of the results being provided by genomic sequencing. With the genotype-specific PCR, specificities for SENV-D and SENV-H were 7/7 (100%) and 7/11 (64%), respectively. All screening PCR products were cloned and sequenced. The results of sequencing showed high genetic diversity in representative SENV genotypes. Five of twenty @entity1 (25%) had @entity325 with several SENV genotypes. CONCLUSIONS: The screening PCR was useful for identifying cases of @entity778 . However, because of high genetic divergence and mixed @entity325 , it was difficult to establish a specific method for genotype distinction. Hence, sequencing is still required for further investigations of SENV as a potential cause of @entity409 .
