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Genotypes of hepatitis C virus in chronic liver disease in Taiwan
1Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Republic of China.
Insights
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype II is most common in Taiwanese patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) or liver cancer (HCC). This genotype is more prevalent in patients with both LC and HCC compared to those with LC alone.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Oncology
Background:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a leading cause of liver cirrhosis (LC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
- Understanding HCV genotypes is crucial for patient management and treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the distribution of HCV genotypes in patients with LC or HCC in Taiwan.
- To determine if specific HCV genotypes are associated with the presence of HCC in addition to LC.
Main Methods:
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with type-specific primers was used to determine HCV genotypes.
- Serum samples from 81 patients with LC or HCC were analyzed.
Main Results:
- HCV genotype II was the most prevalent (58.0%), followed by genotype III (7.4%) and genotype IV (6.2%). Genotype I was not detected.
- Mixed infections were found in 13.6% of patients.
- Genotype II was significantly more common in patients with LC and HCC (69.0%) compared to those with LC alone (46.2%).
Conclusions:
- HCV genotype II is the predominant genotype in patients with LC or HCC in Taiwan.
- Genotype II is more frequently associated with the presence of HCC in patients with liver cirrhosis.
Abstract:
The genotypes of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in 81 patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were investigated by the polymerase chain reaction using type-specific primers. All the patients were positive for HCV RNA in the serum. Forty-two patients had LC with HCC, while the remaining 39 patients had LC without HCC. Genotype II was detected in 47 samples (58.0%), type III in 6 samples (7.4%), and type IV in 4 (6.2%). No evidence of genotype I was found. Mixed infection was detected in 11 samples (13.6%). The prevalence of genotype II in LC with HCC patients (69.0%) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than in the LC without HCC patients (46.2%). It is concluded that genotype II is the most predominant type in patients with LC or HCC in Taiwan, and is found more frequently in patients who had LC with HCC than in those who had LC alone.