The Distribution of Hepatitis C Virus Genotypes of Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Infection in the Eskisehir Region of Turkey

Abstract

Aim:Chronic Hepatitis C is a serious disease than can result in long-term health problems. It is known that different genotypes in HCV infections account for differences in disease courses and treatment responses. Our study aimed to determine the HCV genotype distribution of patients with chronic hepatitis C infection. Material and Method: This study investigated the anti-HCV, HCV RNA viral loads, and HCV genotypes of 203 patients who were followedup in Eskisehir Osmangazi University Medical Faculty from 2009-2014. Anti-HCV was tested by microparticle ELISA (Abbott AxSYM System HCV 3.0). HCVRNA viral loads were determined by Artus HCV RG PCR kit (QIAGEN) on a Rotor-Gene 6000 (Corbett Research) instrument between 2009-2011, and by Cobas TaqMan 48 (Roche) between 2011-2014 by Real Time PCR. Genotyping of HCV RNA positive patients was performed by HCV genotype Pyrosequencing test and PCR based assay Abbott Real Time Genotype II (USA). Results: The distribution of HCV genotypes was as follows: In 151 (74.4%) patients genotype 1; in 36 genotype 1b (17.7%), in 5 type 1a (2.4%), in 3 genotype 2(1.4%); in 4 genotype 3(1.9%); and in 4 genotype 4(1.9%). HCV viral loads were between 1.25x10(3)-8.35x10(7). In 191 (94.0%) patients, anti-HCV was positive and in 12 (6.0%), anti-HCV was negative. Discussion: The most common HCV genotype in the Eskisehir region was genotype 1, and the most common subtype in this group was genotype 1b. Treatment protocols should be reevaluated by taking into consideration that sustained viral response in these patients might be weak. In Turkey, approximately 90% of HCV infections are of type 1 (most are type 1b), although types 2, 3, and 4 HCV infections are also seen.