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Transmission routes of chronic hepatitis C and their relation to HCV genotypes
Fahriye Keskın1, Sevgi Çıftçı, Salih Türkoğlu
1Department of Microbiology, İstanbul University Dentistry Faculty, İstanbul. fahriye.keskin@gmail.com
Insights
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1b was most common in chronic HCV patients, particularly those with a history of blood transfusions or surgery. This study identifies key transmission routes and viral genotypes in this patient cohort.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection poses a significant global health challenge.
- Understanding transmission routes and associated viral genotypes is crucial for effective management and prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the transmission routes of hepatitis C virus in patients with chronic HCV.
- To determine the relationship between hepatitis C virus genotypes and identified transmission routes.
Main Methods:
- Genotyping of 108 HCV RNA-positive patients was performed using a commercial reverse hybridization method (Line Probe Assay).
- Patient histories were analyzed to identify potential transmission routes, including blood transfusions, surgery, dental treatment, and dialysis.
Main Results:
- Hepatitis C virus genotype 1b was the most prevalent (75.9% of patients), observed across various transmission groups.
- Blood or blood product transfusions were reported by 38.8% of patients, followed by surgery (16.6%), dental treatment (15.7%), and dialysis (12.9%).
- Four main viral types (1, 2, 3, and 4) and mixed infections were identified, with subtype 1b being the most common.
Conclusions:
- Blood transfusions were the primary historical route of HCV infection prior to mandatory donor screening.
- Hepatitis C virus genotype 1b is predominant, especially in patients with a history of surgery.
- While other risk factors exist, this study highlights the significance of transfusion and surgical history in HCV transmission and genotype prevalence.
Background/Aims:
Hepatitis C virus transmission routes in chronic hepatitis C patients, the relationship between the viral genotype and the transmission routes were studied.
Material And Methods:
Genotyping was performed by using a commercial reverse hybridization method, Line Probe Assay.
Results:
Genotyping of 108 HCV RNA positive patients revealed four different types (1, 2, 3, and 4) and some mixed types. Subtype 1b was the most common (n=82). Subtype 1a and 3a were detected in six patients, 2a/2c was detected in seven patients, and 4c/4d was detected in one patient respectively. Six subjects revealed mixed infections. Three of them were 1a+1b, two of them were 1b+4a, and one of them was 1b+2a/2c. Genotype 1b was most common in all groups. In 38.8% of the 108 patients with a history of blood or blood product transfusions, 16.6% of patients with a history of surgery, 15.7% of patients had an anamnesis of dental treatment and, 12.9% of patients receiving dialysis.
Conclusion:
Before the routine screening of blood donor practices became mandatory, the most common route of HCV infection was blood transfusions. The other risk factors of transmission such as tattoos, piercings, iatrogenic infections and intravenous drug usage have not been recorded for any of these patients in our study. The patient with a history of surgery had the genotype 1b as the most common genotype. The genotype 1b was determined in 75.9% of the whole patient population of the study.
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