Experimental Infection of Chimpanzees with Hepatitis C Virus of Genotype 5a: Genetic Analysis of the Virus and Generation of a Standardized Challenge Pool
Open Access
- 1 October 1998
- journal article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in The Journal of Infectious Diseases
- Vol. 178 (4) , 1193-1197
- https://doi.org/10.1086/515683
Abstract
Six major genotypes (genotypes 1–6) of hepatitis C virus (HCV) have been identified. These genetic variants are being transmitted to chimpanzees, the only recognized animal model for the study of HCV. Genotype 5a (strain SA13), a variant found primarily in South Africa, has been transmitted to chimpanzees for the first time. Experimental infection of 2 chimpanzees was characterized by early appearance of viremia and peak virus titers of 105–106 genome equivalents/mL. The HCV infection was resolved by week 15 after inoculation in 1 chimpanzee and persisted in the other. Both chimpanzees became anti-HCV—positive by week 14 after inoculation. Both chimpanzees developed viral hepatitis. The infectivity titer of a genotype 5a challenge pool prepared from the first passage of HCV in a chimpanzee was ∼104 infectious doses/mL. Finally, sequence analysis of strain SA13 confirmed that genotype 5a is genetically distinct from other genotypes of HCV.Keywords
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