Determination of the geographical origin of unidentified cadavers based on geographical differences in genotype of varicella–zoster virus

Abstract

A new method was developed for determining the geographical origin of unidentified cadavers by examining the genome of varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which resides latently throughout life in most individuals and the genotypes which show distinct geographical distribution. VZV DNA samples extracted from the trigeminal ganglia of 62 cadavers (59 from Japan, and 1 each from the United Kingdom, Mongolia, and Pakistan) submitted for medico-legal autopsy were examined. Sequencing was performed on a 358-bp region in the open reading frame (ORF) 22 containing four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and a 419-bp region in ORF 62 containing 2 SNPs in the VZV genome. Using these SNP markers, the VZV genome was classified into the nine genotypes described previously. Phylogenetic tree analysis was also undertaken for the sequenced regions and for the 22 existing VZV strains described previously. In addition, 21 samples were subcloned for detection of co-infection. The VZV genome was classified successfully into nine genotypes using four SNPs in ORF 22 and two SNPs in ORF 62 as markers. Among Japanese cadavers, 57 carried genotype J, 1 carried genotype M1, and 1 carried genotype M2. The British and the Mongolian cadavers carried genotype E1 and the Pakistani cadaver carried M1. Phylogenetic tree analysis showed that VZV strains can be classified into different genotypes with high bootstrap values. None of the subcloned samples showed evidence of co-infection. These results suggest that valuable additional information for determining the geographical origin of unidentified cadavers can be provided by examining the VZV genome.

Genotype analysis of varicella-zoster virus isolates from suburban Shanghai Municipal Province, China

“…Our results showed that the VZV strains isolated from patients in suburban Shanghai were primarily genotype J/clade 2 strains, suggesting that the distribution of VZV in China has significant geographical features. The results of our study, combined with those from studies in Japan (Inoue et al, 2010), Korea (Kim et al, 2011) and Mongolia (Enskhsaȋkhan et al, 2010), indicate that the majority of WT VZV strains in north-east Asia are genotype J/clade 2 strains. However, a small fraction of type M2 isolates were identified according to the 447 bp method in our study.…”

Viable herpes simplex virus type 1 and varicella‐zoster virus in the trigeminal ganglia of human cadavers

“…Based on the close relationship between genotypic polymorphisms and geographic distributions of HSV‐1 and VZV [Umene et al, 2003; Loparev et al, 2004], the geographic origins of unidentified cadavers may be determined [Inoue et al, 2010b]. However, since only a limited amount of DNA can be extracted directly from the trigeminal ganglia, it is difficult to compare the genotypes of viruses isolated from the right and left ganglia or to determine co‐infection in an ipsilateral ganglion.…”

Genotypic Polymorphisms of Hepatitis B Virus Provide Useful Information for Estimating Geographical Origin or Place of Long‐term Residence of Unidentified Cadavers

“…One of these methods estimates the geographical origin of a cadaver based on geographical difference in DNA polymorphisms of viruses that reside in humans latently and continuously over the long term. To date, estimation methods of geographical origin based on DNA polymorphisms have been developed for the JC , BK , Epstein‐Barr , and varicella‐zoster viruses. These viruses infect infants and children and establish lifelong latent infection.…”

“…To date, estimation methods of geographical origin based on DNA polymorphisms have been developed for the JC (3), BK (4), Epstein-Barr (5), and varicella-zoster (6) viruses. These viruses infect infants and children and establish lifelong latent infection.…”