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Healthcare-Related HCV Genotype 4d Infections in Kayseri, Turkey
Selma Gökahmetoğlu1, Ceylan Polat2, Mustafa Altay Atalay1
1Department of Medical Microbiology, Erciyes University Faculty of Medicine, Kayseri, Turkey.
Background:
The frequency of genotype 4 hepatitis C virus infection is significantly higher in a city compared to other provinces in Turkey. In this study, we aimed to investigate the epidemiology and risk factors of hepatitis C virus genotype 4 infection in Kayseri province of Turkey.
Methods:
A case-control study was conducted with 61 hepatitis C virus genotype 4-infected patients and 71 controls. A questionnaire was administered to the patients and controls, asking for information about the risk factors of hepatitis C virus transmission. Core/ E1 and NS5B regions of hepatitis C virus genome were amplified and sequenced by Sanger method. Phylogenetic analysis and molecular clock analysis were performed. The risk was determined by calculating the odds ratio and 95% CI. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the effect of risk factors by controlling for confounding variables.
Results:
Kayseri isolates were closely related to type 4d sequences but formed a separate cluster. According to the molecular clock analysis, hepatitis C virus genotype 4d entered Kayseri province probably between 1941 and 1988. Blood transfusion and surgical intervention were found to be significant risk factors for the infection.
Conclusion:
Epidemiological data showed that hepatitis C virus genotype 4d infections are significantly associated with unsafe medical procedures.
