Update: proposed reference sequences for subtypes of hepatitis E virus (species Orthohepevirus A)
Donald B. Smith, Jacques Izopet, Florence Nicot, Peter Simmonds, Shahid Jameel, Xiang‐Jin Meng, Heléne Norder, Hiroaki Okamoto, Wim H. M. van der Poel, Gábor Reuter, Michael A. Purdy
Abstract
In this recommendation, we update our 2016 table of reference sequences of subtypes of hepatitis E virus (HEV; species Orthohepevirus A , family Hepeviridae ) for which complete genome sequences are available (Smith et al ., 2016). This takes into account subsequent publications describing novel viruses and additional proposals for subtype names; there are now eight genotypes and 36 subtypes. Although it remains difficult to define strict criteria for distinguishing between virus subtypes, and is not within the remit of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV), the use of agreed reference sequences will bring clarity and stability to researchers, epidemiologists and clinicians working with HEV.