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Sub-genotypes of hepatitis C virus in the Middle East and North Africa: Patterns of distribution and temporal changes
Rabaa Y Athamneh1, Rawan Abudalo2, Malik Sallam3
1Department of Medical Laboratories Sciences, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Zarqa University, Zarqa, Jordan.
Insights
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 and 4 are most common in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Sub-genotype 4a is prevalent, with a notable increase in available HCV sequence data from the MENA region.
Area of Science:
- Virology and Epidemiology
- Public Health
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a significant public health issue in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
- Understanding the genetic diversity and distribution of HCV genotypes and sub-genotypes is crucial for effective control strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the distribution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes (GT) and sub-genotypes (SGT) in the MENA region.
- To assess the temporal trends in the number of HCV sequences from the MENA region.
- To identify the most prevalent HCV SGTs and their geographical distribution within MENA.
Main Methods:
- Retrieved 6740 HCV molecular sequences from GenBank collected in 17 MENA countries up to August 1, 2022.
- Determined HCV Genotype (GT) and Sub-genotype (SGT) using NCBI genotyping and BLAST tools.
- Analyzed the distribution and temporal changes of HCV sequences and their genetic diversity.
Main Results:
- HCV Genotype 1 (GT1) (41.2%) and Genotype 4 (GT4) (39.0%) were the dominant genotypes in the MENA region.
- Sub-genotype 4a (SGT4a) was the most common SGT (23.7%), prevalent in Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
- Significant temporal increase in the number of available HCV sequences from the MENA region was observed.
Conclusions:
- HCV GT1 and GT4, particularly SGT4a, are key genotypes circulating in the MENA region.
- The increasing availability of HCV sequence data from MENA facilitates better understanding of viral diversity.
- Continued surveillance of HCV genetic diversity is essential for public health interventions in the MENA region.
Abstract:
Infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains a considerable public health concern in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The objectives of this study were to analyze the HCV genotype (GT) and sub-genotype (SGT) distribution in the MENA region and to assess the temporal change in the number of sequences within the MENA region. All HCV molecular sequences collected in the MENA region had been retrieved from GenBank as of 1 August 2022. The number of HCV sequences retrieved was 6740 representing sequences from a total of 17 MENA countries with a majority from Iran (n = 1969, 29.2%), Egypt (n = 1591, 23.6%), Tunisia (n = 1305, 19.4%) and Saudi Arabia (n = 1085, 16.1%). The determination of GT/SGT was based on the NCBI genotyping and Blast tool. Genotype 1 (GT1) dominated infections in the MENA (n = 2777, 41.2%), followed by GT4 (n = 2566, 39.0%). Additionally, SGT4a (1515/6393, 23.7%) was the most common SGT in the MENA, and SGT4a was dominant in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, followed by SGT1b (n = 1308, 20.5%), which was dominant in Morocco and Tunisia, while SGT1a (n = 1275, 19.9%) was common in Iran, Iraq and Palestine. Furthermore, significant temporal increase in the number of HCV MENA sequences was observed. On the SGT level, specific patterns of HCV genetic diversity were seen in the MENA region, with the most common SGT being 4a, in addition to increasing the availability of HCV sequences in the MENA region.
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