The Entire Nucleotide Sequence of the Genome of Human Hepatitis A Virus (isolate MBB)

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is an important human pathogen causing hepatitis, with high incidence in developed as well as in developing countries. No vaccines are available. In order to determine the primary structure of the HAV genome, we have prepared cDNAs from viral RNA and cloned these into plasmid pBR322. These clones were used to determine the entire nucleotide sequence of the HAV RNA by rapid sequencing methods. We have compared this sequence of 7470 bases to known partial sequences, and one complete sequence of HAV RNA which were obtained recently from different strains of HAV. It is hoped that a comparison of sequence data from different isolates will help in the elucidation of the unusual growth pattern of HAV. In addition, it might provide helpful information about the immunological determinants that elicit the antibody response to infection.