OBJECTIVETo analysis the genotypes of wild type hepatitis A virus circulated in Xinjiang Hetian of China in 2006.

METHODSThe Vp1-2A region of HAV genome was amplified and sequenced from serum samples collected in Xinjiang Hetian of China in 2006, and subjected to phylogenetic analysis by Neighbor Joining (NJ) method.

RESULTSThe nucleotide sequence differences in the VP1-2A region among Xinjiang Hetian HAV strains ranged from 0%-3.9%, all belonged to sub-genotype 1A. Genetically similar strains were identified among Xinjiang Hetian 2006 and Xinjiang Yili 2005 of China isolates. Only 0-2 amino acid differences were found among the Xinjiang Hetian HAV isolates in the VP1-2A region.

CONCLUSIONThere were different HAV strains existing in the investigated areas, these strains may have different transmission pathways for the spread of the disease. The results indicate the usefulness of molecular epidemiological methods in studying changes in the circulating HAV strains and in tracing transmission routes, and also for effectively control measures to prevent the spread of the disease.

China ; epidemiology ; Genotype ; Hepatitis A ; epidemiology ; immunology ; virology ; Hepatitis A Antibodies ; blood ; Hepatitis A Virus, Human ; classification ; genetics ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Viral ; blood ; genetics ; Viral Structural Proteins ; genetics