Here, we report an unexpectedly selleck compound low prevalence of HCV infection (0.32%) as measured by anti-HCV antibodies detected by using both a second generation enzyme immune assay (EIA) and a confirmatory immunoblotting, and HCV RNA detected by reverse transcription – nested polymerase chain reaction (RT-nested PCR) targetting the 5��UTR HCV RNA in a cohort of random Argentinian volunteers. The genotypes detected and the putative origin of the HCV sequences are discussed based based on both their phylogenetic clustering and on such clustering relative to other Argentinian and worldwide derived sequences deposited in GB, in an attempt to trace how HCV could have been introduced in the local community here represented by the cohort studied.

MATERIALS AND METHODS Throughout the 2000-2007 period, a total of 6251 serum samples were collected from healthy volunteers from 12 Argentinian provinces, as well as from the Ciudad Aut��noma de Buenos Aires (C.A.B.A. – the capital city of the country) as follows: Buenos Aires province and C.A.B.A., n = 1461; Catamarca, n = 648; C��rdoba, n = 1061; Chaco, n = 353; Chubut, n = 172; Entre R��os, n = 474; Jujuy, n = 176; R��o Negro, n = 329; Salta, n = 561; San Luis, n = 195; Santiago del Estero, n = 375; and Tucum��n, n = 446 (Table (Table11). Table 1 Epidemiological profile of the population studied Subjects included in this study [n = 6251; 2738 men; mean �� SE, 37.5 �� 0.2 years; mean �� SD = 37.5 �� 12.7; median age = 35 years (range 10-70 years)] were recruited as volunteers from the general population, local schools, and police stations, after being informed about the aim of the survey.

All parents or legal guardians of individuals younger than 18 years provided informed written consent for participation. The corresponding written permission from all municipal authorities was obtained from each city or town where subjects were to be included. Serological studies The presence of anti-HCV antibodies was determined by using a second generation EIA test according to the manufacturer��s recommendations (Abbott Diagnostics, North Chicago, IL, United States). Samples were further analyzed with a second generation recombinant immunoblot assay (RIBA 2.0: Chiron Corporation, Emeryville, CA, United States). HCV-RNA detection and genotyping Samples with serologically detectable anti-HCV antibodies were subjected to either RT-nested or RT-hemi-nested PCR amplification (see below).

The 5��UTR region was used for RNA detection and initial genotype classification. The NS5B polymerase region, encompassing nt 8262-8610, was used for subtyping. AV-951 RNA extraction RNA was extracted from 140 ��L of serum by using the QIAamp Viral RNA Mini Kit (Qiagen Hilden, Germany). The measures to prevent contamination suggested by Kwok and Higuchi were strictly applied[21].