Key result
Sequence analysis of HAV from a chimpanzee with fulminant hepatitis showed 99.8% amino acid similarity to the wild-type human HAV genotype IB, suggesting cross-species infection.
Case Report (n=1)
A chimpanzee with fulminant hepatitis was likely infected with human HAV genotype IB, with specific viral substitutions potentially contributing to disease severity.
Raises concern for zoonotic HAV transmission to primates; leaves open whether substitutions drive fulminant severity.
BACKGROUND: Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infects both humans and non-human primates, in experimentally infected chimpanzees is typically milder than in humans. In 1982, Abe and Shikata reported a first case of a chimpanzee with fulminant hepatitis caused by spontaneous HAV infection, and the underlying mechanisms of the disease remain unknown. METHODS: To characterize denoted CFH-HAV, we conducted cloning and near full-length sequence analysis. RESULTS: Phylogenetic analyses of VP1-2A and complete sequence comparison between various genotypes and the sample sequence showed clustering in genotype IB. Based on BLAST analysis, the sequence was most closely related to the wild-type (HM175/WT) isolate. Amino acid and nucleic acid similarities were 99.8% and 94.41%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The chimpanzee may have been infected with human HAV genotype IB. The substitutions in VP2, VP4, 2B, 2C, and 3D, which may enhance virus proliferation, contributed to disease severity culminating in fulminant hepatic failure.
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Theamboonlers et al. (2011) conducted a case report in Fulminant hepatitis caused by spontaneous HAV infection (n=1). Hepatitis A virus (HAV) genotype IB was evaluated on Phylogenetic analyses and sequence comparison. Sequence analysis of HAV from a chimpanzee with fulminant hepatitis showed 99.8% amino acid similarity to the wild-type human HAV genotype IB, suggesting cross-species infection.
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