Ahmed Ali Al-Qahtani1, Salvatore Rubino, Mohammed N Al-Ahdal. 1. Molecular Virology and Infectious Diseases section, Department of Biological and Medical Research, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Saudi Arabia.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is a major cause of liver diseases worldwide, undergoes genetic variation during the course of infection. The aim of this study was to examine sequence variations within the HVR1 region of HCV genotype 4 in infected Saudi patients treated with a combination therapy of interferon-α and ribavirin. METHODOLOGY: cDNA of the HVR1 region of HVC-4 from one responder and one non-responder patients was generated, cloned and sequenced. Ten clones were randomly selected and analyzed for changes in nucleotide and amino acid sequences before the start of treatment, and subsequently three and six months after the start of the therapy course. RESULTS: Based on nucleotide and amino acid sequence variations, the HVR1 region is highly sequence variable. In both the responder and the non-responder patients, amino acid sequence variations were observed and a clear distinction between patients was evident. The amino acid changes after the treatment course were different in the responder compared to the non-responder subject. Five amino acids (residues 364 to 367, 381 and 409) were unique in the non-responder patient. CONCLUSION: Considerable amino acid variations were observed in the HVR1 region in both responder and non-responder patients. These findings could have implications for the development of an HCV vaccine as well as treatment protocols for HCV infections.
INTRODUCTION:Hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is a major cause of liver diseases worldwide, undergoes genetic variation during the course of infection. The aim of this study was to examine sequence variations within the HVR1 region of HCV genotype 4 in infected Saudipatients treated with a combination therapy of interferon-α and ribavirin. METHODOLOGY: cDNA of the HVR1 region of HVC-4 from one responder and one non-responder patients was generated, cloned and sequenced. Ten clones were randomly selected and analyzed for changes in nucleotide and amino acid sequences before the start of treatment, and subsequently three and six months after the start of the therapy course. RESULTS: Based on nucleotide and amino acid sequence variations, the HVR1 region is highly sequence variable. In both the responder and the non-responder patients, amino acid sequence variations were observed and a clear distinction between patients was evident. The amino acid changes after the treatment course were different in the responder compared to the non-responder subject. Five amino acids (residues 364 to 367, 381 and 409) were unique in the non-responder patient. CONCLUSION: Considerable amino acid variations were observed in the HVR1 region in both responder and non-responder patients. These findings could have implications for the development of an HCV vaccine as well as treatment protocols for HCV infections.
Authors: Yousef M O Alhammad; Sanvir Maharajh; Rebecca Butcher; John-Sebastian Eden; Peter A White; Pantelis Poumbourios; Heidi E Drummer Journal: PLoS One Date: 2015-05-13 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Ahmed Al-Qahtani; Mashael Al-Anazi; Ayman A Abdo; Faisal M Sanai; Waleed Al-Hamoudi; Khalid A Alswat; Hamad I Al-Ashgar; Mohammed Q Khan; Ali Albenmousa; Nisreen Khalaf; Nisha Viswan; Mohammed N Al-Ahdal Journal: J Immunol Res Date: 2015-02-25 Impact factor: 4.818
Authors: Hamad I Al Ashgar; Mohammed Q Khan; Mohammed Al-Ahdal; Sahar Al Thawadi; Ahmad Salem Helmy; Ahmed Al Qahtani; Faisal M Sanai Journal: Saudi J Gastroenterol Date: 2013 Jan-Feb Impact factor: 2.485