African origin of GB virus C determined by phylogenetic analysis of a complete genotype 5 genome from South Africa Muerhoff, A. Scott and Leary, Thomas P. and Sathar, Mahomed A. and Dawson, George J. and Desai, Suresh M.,, 86, 1729-1735 (2005), doi = https://doi.org/10.1099/vir.0.80854-0, publicationName = Microbiology Society, issn = 0022-1317, abstract= GB virus C (GBV-C), a positive-strand RNA virus, currently infects approximately one-sixth of the world's population. This virus exists as a collection of genotypes whose global distribution correlates with geographical origin. Genotyping of GBV-C isolates by phylogenetic analysis has relied upon the use of 5′-untranslated region (5′-UTR) sequences, however, complete genome sequences are used to demonstrate definitively their existence and geographical correlation. Initial identification of the fifth genotype from South Africa was based upon phylogenetic analysis of the 5′-UTR. It was sought to confirm this classification by analysis of full-length E2 genes from South African isolates and by analysis of a complete genotype 5 genome. Analysis of full-length E2 genes from 28 GBV-C-infected South African individuals revealed the existence of a unique group of 18 isolates, distinct from the other four genotypes. Bootstrap analysis provided strong support (95 %) for this fifth group. The remaining isolates were either genotype 1 (n=8) or 2 (n=2). Analysis of human E2 gene sequences, with the E2 gene from the chimpanzee variant GBV-Ctro included as the outgroup, produced a tree rooted on the genotype 1 branch. The complete genome nucleotide sequence of South African genotype 5 isolate D50 was determined. Phylogenetic analysis of the 5′-UTR and open reading frame produced congruent trees that grouped the sequences into five major genotypes. Inclusion of the corresponding region of the chimpanzee isolate GBV-Ctro in the analysis produced trees rooted on the branch leading to the genotype 5 isolate D50, suggesting an ancient African origin of GBV-C., language=, type=