Detection and genotyping of GB virus-C in dromedary camels in the United Arab Emirates

GB virus-C/hepatitis G virus (GBV-C/HGV), collectively known as GBV-C, is widely spread and was discovered while searching for a causative agent for non-A–E hepatitis. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of infection and genotypic characteristics of GBV-C in Arabian camels in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A total of 22 blood and 8 milk samples from healthy camels were screened using RT-PCR/nested PCR of the 5′-untranslated region (UTR). Phylogenetic analysis was conducted by sequencing the UTR region of randomly picked clones. The results obtained showed that the rate of GBV-C infection in camels was 18.2% (4 out of 22). All camels milk samples tested negative. Sequence analysis of the 5′-UTR using isolates from the 4 camels revealed the prevalence of the European/North American genotype 2 when compared to the 6 reference genotypes in GenBank.