Identification of hepatitis C virus in the common bed bug – a potential, but uncommon route for HCV infection?. Issue 1 (1st January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ling, Jiaxin; Persson Vinnersten, Thomas; Hesson, Jenny C.; Bohlin, Jon; Roligheten, Espen; Holmes, Edward C.; Pettersson, John H.-O.
• Is Part Of: Emerging microbes & infections. Volume 9:Issue 1(2020)
• Page Start: 1429
• Page End: 1431
• Publication Date: 2020-01-01
• Subjects: Common bed bug -- hepatitis C virus -- RNA-sequencing -- meta-transcriptomics -- epidemiology; Medical microbiology -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Infection -- Periodicals; 616.9041
• DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2020.1780950
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2222-1751

Abstract

ABSTRACT: During an ongoing virome metagenomics project we identified hepatitis C virus (HCV) in a pool of recently blood-fed common bed bug ( Cimex lectularius ) nymphs sampled from domestic residences in Europe. Additional PCR and genomic analysis revealed that the virus was a member of HCV genotype 3A, one of the most prevalent genotypes in Europe. Although the role of the common bed bug in the transmission of human hepatitis viruses remains unclear, our study suggests that it merits additional investigation.