Molecular characterization of hepatitis c virus in multi-transfused Colombian patients

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Virology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Hepatitis C virus (HCV) poses a significant global health challenge, affecting 170 million people worldwide.
• Multi-transfused patients are a key risk group for HCV infection, particularly in developing nations.
• Understanding HCV dynamics in specific populations, like multi-transfused patients in Colombia, is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalent Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes within a cohort of multi-transfused patients in Colombia.
• To investigate the genetic diversity of HCV in a population with a high risk of transfusion-transmitted infection.

Main Methods:

• Serum samples from anti-HCV positive patients were analyzed for HCV RNA using nested-PCR targeting the 5' untranslated region (5'UTR).
• HCV genotyping was performed using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and/or automated sequencing.
• Viral RNA was extracted and amplified from patient serum samples.

Main Results:

• Hepatitis C virus (HCV) subtype 1b was the most prevalent, identified in 66.7% of cases.
• HCV subtype 1a was detected in 16.7% of patients, and genotypes 2b and 3a were found in 8.3% each.
• A specific mutation (G235A) in the 5'UTR was observed in three subtype 1b isolates, altering the RFLP pattern.

Conclusions:

• This study represents the first HCV genotyping in multi-transfused patients in Colombia, establishing subtype 1b as the predominant genotype.
• The findings highlight the importance of HCV surveillance in multi-transfused patient cohorts.
• A novel mutation in the 5'UTR of HCV genotype 1 was identified, impacting RFLP analysis.