Monitoring the Hepatitis A Virus in Oyster from Korea

Abstract

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) causes many cases of oyster- or clam-associated gastroenteritis in various countries. HAV was detected on oyster by RT-PCR in 19.6% (11/56) in Korea. The percentages of HAV-positive samples in 2011 and 2012 were 27.6% and 11.1%, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that several nucleotide sequences highly similar to those of HAVs isolated in this study. Phylogenetic analysis of the coding regions of the viral protein VP4/VP2 revealed that all amplicons were classified into IA genogroup. It will provide useful data that aids in our understanding circulating HAVs and may contribute to future control.