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Hepatitis C genotype 4: genotypic diversity, epidemiological profile, and clinical relevance of subtypes in Saudi

Hamad I Al Ashgar1, Mohammed Q Khan, Mohammed Al-Ahdal

  • 1Department of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Journal of Gastroenterology : Official Journal of the Saudi Gastroenterology Association
|January 16, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Hepatitis C virus genotype 4 (HCV-4) subtypes 4a and 4d are most common in Saudi Arabia. Patients with HCV-4a showed better response to combination therapy than those with HCV-4d.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Virology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Hepatitis C virus genotype 4 (HCV-4) is the most prevalent genotype in Saudi Arabia.
  • The transmission routes and subtypes of HCV-4 remain largely unknown.
  • Understanding HCV-4 epidemiology is crucial for effective public health strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the variability of HCV-4 subtypes in Saudi Arabia.
  • To investigate the routes and sources of HCV-4 transmission.
  • To determine the influence of HCV-4 subtypes on therapeutic response.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 64 HCV-4 patients.
  • Prevalence of HCV-4 sub-genotypes and transmission modes were assessed.
  • Correlation with treatment response to pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) α-2a and ribavirin.

Main Results:

  • HCV-4 subtypes 4a (48.4%) and 4d (39%) were most prevalent.
  • No significant correlation was found between subtypes and transmission source (P=0.62).
  • Sustained virological response was 64% overall; 77.4% for 4a, 52% for 4d (P=0.046).

Conclusions:

  • The exact mode of HCV transmission remains unclear in most cases.
  • HCV-4 subtypes 4a and 4d are dominant in Saudi Arabia.
  • HCV-4a infected patients demonstrated a significantly better treatment response to combination therapy compared to HCV-4d.
Abstract

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