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[Variants of hepatitis C virus in different risk groups. Comparative study of a method for genotyping and another for
P Alonso1, A Orduña, A San Miguel
1Hospital Comarcal de Monforte de Lemos, Lugo.
Insights
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1b was most common in Spain, with variations seen in patients based on risk factors like intravenous drug use. Genotyping proved more accurate than serotyping for HCV detection.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains a significant global health concern.
- Understanding HCV genotype distribution is crucial for effective treatment and prevention strategies.
- Previous studies have indicated regional variations in HCV genotypes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and distribution of HCV genotypes in Monforte de Lemos, Spain.
- To analyze the association between HCV genotypes and risk factors.
- To compare the performance of genotyping and serotyping techniques for HCV detection.
Main Methods:
- Eighty-four patients with confirmed hepatitis C were analyzed.
- Risk factors including intravenous drug use (IVDA), blood transfusions, and hemodialysis were assessed.
- HCV antibodies were detected using enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and immunoblot.
- Serotyping was performed using ELISA, and genotyping utilized reverse hybridization of RT-PCR products.
Main Results:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1b was the most prevalent (47.6%), followed by 1a (20.2%) and 3 (14.3%).
- Genotype 1a and 3 predominated in IVDA patients, while genotype 1b was most common in those with unknown risk or a history of blood transfusion.
- Genotyping showed higher accuracy and fewer untypable cases (2.4%) compared to serotyping (20.2%).
Conclusions:
- HCV genotype 1b is the most frequent in the studied Spanish population.
- HCV genotype distribution varies significantly based on patient risk factors.
- Genotyping is a more sensitive and reliable method for HCV detection and characterization than serotyping.
Aims:
The aim of this study was to know the prevalence of the different variants of HCV in the Health Care area of Monforte de Lemos (Lugo, Spain) and its distribution according to risk factors and to compare the results obtained with one genotyping and one serotyping technique.
Patients And Methods:
Eighty-four patients with hepatitis C were studied, 25 of whom were IVDA, 14 had received blood transfusions, 4 hemodialysis and the risk factor was unknown in 41. The antibodies against HCV were studied by second generation EIA and confirmed by an immunoblot technique. Serotyping was carried out by an ELISA test. Genotyping was undertaken with a reverse hybridation test of the amplification obtained by polymerase chain reaction prior to reverse transcription (RT-PCR).
Results And Conclusions:
The genotypes most frequently observed were 1b (47.6%), 1a (20.2%) and 3 (14.3%). In the IVDA patients the genotypes 1a (40%) and 3 (24%) predominated. The 1b genotype was the most prevalent in the patients of unknown risk (68.3%) and patients with a history of blood transfusion (50%). The prevalence of the different serotypes was similar to that of the corresponding genotypes, with nearly 100% agreement. The number of untypable cases was greater in the serotyping technique (20.2%) than in the genotyping (2.4%). A greater number of mixed infections was detected with serotyping (7 cases, 8.3%) than with genotyping (1 case, 1.2%). Lesser sensitivity of the serotyping test was observed in the patients lacking anti-NS4 antibodies.
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