Hepatitis C virus genotypes in Pakistan: a systemic review

Area of Science:

• * Virology and Molecular Epidemiology
• * Infectious Disease Research
• * Public Health

Background:

• * Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is classified into six major genotypes based on phylogenetic analysis.
• * HCV genotypes exhibit distinct biological properties, influencing clinical outcomes and treatment responses.
• * Understanding HCV genotype distribution is crucial for epidemiology, transmission, and pathogenesis studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To investigate the geographical distribution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes and subgenotypes in Pakistan.
• * To consolidate molecular data on HCV prevalence across four Pakistani provinces.
• * To provide insights into the epidemiology of HCV in the region.

Main Methods:

• * Systematic review and meta-analysis of 34 published studies.
• * Data collected from studies published between 1996 and 2011.
• * Analysis of HCV genotypes and subgenotypes in 28,400 infected individuals.

Main Results:

• * HCV genotype 3 was the most prevalent (78.96%), predominantly genotype 3a (55.10%).
• * Genotype 1 was the second most frequent overall (7.03%), particularly in Punjab.
• * Genotypes 4, 5, and 6 were rare; untypeable genotypes were common in Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan.

Conclusions:

• * Hepatitis C virus genotype 3 is the dominant genotype across all provinces in Pakistan.
• * Genotype 3a is the most frequently identified subgenotype, underscoring its epidemiological significance.
• * Regional variations in HCV genotype prevalence warrant further investigation and targeted public health strategies.