Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 21, 2026
A Mouse Model of Chronic Liver Fibrosis for the Study of Biliary Atresia
Published on: February 3, 2023
Hepatitis C subtype distribution in chronically infected patients with mild liver fibrosis in France: the GEMHEP
T Semenova1, B Nemoz1, V Thibault2
1Laboratoire de Virologie,Institut de Biologie et Pathologie, CHU Grenoble-Alpes,Grenoble,France.
Insights
Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment for Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is effective, but access is limited. This study found genotypes 1b and 1a are most common in French patients with mild fibrosis, but more data is needed on genotype 4 efficacy.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) combinations offer high cure rates for Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.
- Treatment access is often restricted to patients with advanced fibrosis (F3-F4) due to high costs.
- Understanding the epidemiology of HCV in patients with milder fibrosis (F0-F2) is crucial for assessing treatment eligibility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the epidemiological characteristics and genotype distribution of HCV in treatment-naive patients with METAVIR fibrosis stages F0-F2 in France.
- To identify patient profiles eligible for unrestricted DAA treatment based on genotype prevalence.
- To inform public health strategies and clinical management of HCV in France.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective data collection from nine French university hospitals between 2015 and 2016.
- Inclusion of 584 treatment-naive HCV-positive patients with METAVIR fibrosis stages F0-F2.
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotyping to determine the distribution of different viral types.
Main Results:
- Genotype 1b (27.2%) and 1a (25.7%) were the most prevalent genotypes in patients with mild fibrosis.
- Genotype 4 (13.7%) was also frequently observed, with subtype 4a being predominant (27.5% of genotype 4).
- Genotypes 1b and 1a are readily treatable with current DAAs, but efficacy data for genotype 4 subtypes is limited.
Conclusions:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemiology in France shows a high prevalence of genotypes 1b and 1a in patients with mild fibrosis.
- The increasing prevalence of 'non-a non-d' genotype 4, often linked to African populations, requires further investigation regarding DAA treatment efficacy.
- Additional clinical data on DAA effectiveness against genotype 4 is necessary to guide treatment decisions and improve patient care.
Abstract:
Treatment options for Hepatitis C infection have greatly improved with direct-acting antiviral (DAA) combinations achieving high cure rates. Nevertheless, the cost of this treatment is still high and access to treatment in many countries has been preferentially reserved for patients with more severe fibrosis (F3 and F4). In this French nationwide study, we investigated the epidemiological characteristics and genotype distribution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in treatment-naive patients with METAVIR fibrosis stages between F0 and F2 in order to identify patient profiles that became eligible for unrestricted treatment in a second period. Between 2015 and 2016 we collected data from nine French university hospitals on a total of 584 HCV positive patients with absent, mild or moderate liver fibrosis. The most represented genotypes were genotype 1b (159/584; 27.2%), followed by genotype 1a (150/584; 25.7%); genotype 3 (87/584: 14.9%); genotype 4 (80/584; 13.7%). Among genotype 4: 4a was predominantly encountered with 22 patients (27.5% of genotype 4). Genotypes 1b and 1a are currently the most frequent virus types present in treatment-naive patients with mild fibrosis in France. They can be readily cured using the available DAA. Nevertheless, non-a/non-d genotype 4 is also frequent in this population and clinical data on the efficacy of DAA on these subtypes is missing. The GEMHEP is the French group for study and evaluation of viral hepatitis on a national scale. Data collection on epidemiological and molecular aspects of viral hepatitis is performed on a regular basis in all main French teaching hospitals and serves as a basis for surveillance of these infections. Analysis and trends are regularly published on behalf of the GEMHEP group. Data collection was performed retrospectively over the 2015-2016 period, covering nine main university hospitals in France. A total of 584 hepatitis C positive patients were included in this study. Genotyping of the circulating viruses showed a high prevalence of genotypes 1b and 1a in our population. The epidemiology of hepatitis C is slowly changing in France, particularly as a consequence of the rise of 'non-a non-d' genotype 4 viruses mainly originating from African populations. More data concerning treatment efficacy of these genotypes is needed in order to guide clinical care.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution
01:22Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test
01:00Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Distribution
01:25Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Absorption and Distribution
01:23Cystic Fibrosis: Pathogenesis
CF is primarily caused by a genetic mutation in a chromosome 7 gene coding for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. The most common gene mutation leading to CF is the ΔF508 mutation,...
01:31Adrenergic Receptors: ɑ Subtype
Adrenaline ≥ Noradrenaline >> Isoprenaline
α-adrenoceptors are further divided into α1 and α2-adrenoceptors.
α1-Adrenoceptors: These receptors are located postsynaptically on the effector organs and cause constriction of smooth muscle mediated by activation of phospholipase...