Abstract

GABBAY, Yvone B et al. First detection of a human astrovirus type 8 in a child with diarrhea in Belém, Brazil: comparison with other strains worldwide and identification of possible three lineages. Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz [online]. 2007, vol.102, n.4, pp. 531-534.  Epub Apr 19, 2007. ISSN 0074-0276.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0074-02762007005000032.

This study describes the genetic relationships of the first human astrovirus type-8 (HAstV-8) detected in Belém-Brazil, during a public hospital-based study. This strain was compared with other HAstV-8 strains identified elsewhere which have sequences available at GeneBank. The regions ORF1a (primers Mon348/Mon340) and ORF2 (primers Mon269/Mon270) were analyzed by nucleotide sequencing and a high similarity rate was observed among the Belém strain and other HAstV-8 strains. In ORF1a, homology values of 93-100% were detected, and in ORF2 96-99%. Considering the sequence variation (7%) observed in ORF2 region, it was suggested that HAstV-8 strains could be divided in three different lineages.

Keywords : astrovirus type 8; molecular characterization; Belém; Brazil.