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Determination of hepatitis C virus genotypes circulating in different districts of Punjab (Pakistan)
Muhammad Waqar1, Asad U Khan, Habib U Rehman
1Departments of aMicrobiology bGenetics, Hazara University (Garden Campus), Mansehra cDepartment of Medicine, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar dDepartment of Biotechnology, University of Malakand, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa eDepartment of Medicine, Mardan Complex Hospital, Mardan fNational Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology, Division of Molecular Virology and Molecular Diagnostics, University of the Punjab gGenome Center for Molecular Diagnosis & Research, Lahore, Pakistan.
Insights
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 3a is highly prevalent in Punjab, Pakistan, but genotype 1a is rapidly increasing and may soon become dominant. This shift could complicate treatment responses and increase healthcare costs.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Public Health
Background:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes significant global liver disease and mortality.
- HCV genotype is crucial for predicting antiviral therapy response.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency and distribution of HCV genotypes in Punjab, Pakistan.
- To analyze HCV genotype patterns across different age groups and sexes.
Main Methods:
- 542 HCV-positive patients from various Punjab districts were genotyped.
- Patient demographics (sex, age) and geographical data were collected.
Main Results:
- HCV genotype 3a was most prevalent (71%), followed by 1a (7%).
- Genotype 1a showed a significant increase across all studied districts.
- The 21-40 age group was most affected, with even distribution between sexes.
Conclusions:
- HCV genotype 3a is prevalent in Punjab, but genotype 1a is emerging rapidly.
- The potential shift from genotype 3a to 1a may complicate treatment and increase the economic burden.
- HCV infection predominantly affects individuals aged 21-40.
Introduction:
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a principal cause of severe liver diseases worldwide and a possible source of significant morbidity and fatality in the long term. Information on the genotype is more significant because it has prognostic value in the response to antiviral therapy.
Objectives:
This study aimed to determine the frequency of various HCV genotypes circulating in the different districts of Punjab and to show the pattern distribution of HCV genotypes in different age groups and sexes.
Materials And Methods:
A total of 542 HCV-positive patients were selected from various districts of the province and were subjected to an HCV genotype-specific assay. Among 542 positive patients, 300 (55.35%) were men and 242 (44.65%) were women. There were 245 (45.20%), 61 (11.25%), 56 (10.33%), 56 (10.33%), 53 (9.77%), 27 (5%), 20 (3.69%), 16 (3%), and eight (1.47%) HCV-positive patients from Lahore, Sargodha, Multan, Toba Tek Singh, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Mandi Bahauddin Gujranwala, and Sahiwal districts, respectively.
Results:
Of a total of 542 serum samples analyzed, 476 (88%) were successfully genotyped whereas 66 (12%) samples were undetermined genotypes. Among the typable genotypes, 1a was found in 37 (7%), 1b in 18 (3%), 3a in 386 (71%), and genotype 3b in five (1%) patients. Thirty patients (6%) were identified to be infected with mixed HCV genotypes. Genotypes 3a (P=0.0001), 1a (P=0.001), and untypable genotypes (P=0.03) were circulating significantly in all the studied districts. All the genotypes were distributed evenly in male and female patients. The most affected age range of patients was 21-40 years as compared with teenage and older age groups.
Conclusion:
The study found a significantly high prevalence of HCV among the patients of Punjab. In addition, genotype 1a was found to be a significantly and rapidly increasing genotype in the study area. It appears that HCV-3a (the most prevalent genotype) may be replaced by genotype 1a. If this occurs, it will make the present scenario more complex in terms of response to therapy and economic burden on the health sector of Pakistan. HCV infection is more common in the age group of 21-40 years. All the genotypes were distributed at the same frequency in men and women.
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