Abstract
BackgroundHepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes have been shown to be differently distributed between distinct geographical areas. Libya is a large country has the longest coast in the Mediterranean basin. Information regarding hepatitis C genotypes and subtypes circulating in Libya are not well known. The objectives of this study were to determine the frequency of various HCV genotypes cross Libya and the demographic and attributable risk factors associated with HCV transmission among Libyan population.MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out on patients with recently confirmed HCV infection. A total of 3,227 serum samples enrolled at 19 collection center cross Libya. 1,756 belonged to Tripoli region, 452 to West region 355 to North region, 181 South regions and 483 East region. The samples were tested by type specific genotyping assay and correlated with demographic and potential risk factors within the studied populations.ResultsA total of 20 discrete genotypes and subtypes were identified among the Libyan population ranging from 11.5 to 0.3 % cross the country. Genotype 1 was the most frequent among all regions (19.7–40.5 %), reaching the highest value in Tripoli region, followed by genotype 4 which was more prevalent in the South (49.3 %) and West (40.0 %) regions. Genotype 3, was higher in Tripoli (21.3 %) and East (15.9 %) regions while genotype 2, common in North (23.6 %) and South (22.5 %) regions. However, we found evidence that there is a changing relative prevalence of HCV genotypes in relation to age, gender and the mode of transmission which is reflected in the predominance of certain genotypes among Libyan population.ConclusionsDifferent HCV genotypes were isolated form Libyan population including newly emerged ones. The prevalence of the genotypes varied by geographic region and influenced by demographic and risk factors. Knowing the frequency and distribution of the genotypes would provide key information on understanding the spread of HCV in Libya and this could be greatly reflected on national plans and future strategies for infection prevention.
Highlights
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes have been shown to be differently distributed between distinct geographical areas
A total of 3,227 anti-HCV positive sera were received from all the five regions of the country. Out of these 1,501 (46 %) samples were found positive by HCV qualitative PCR with viral load >500 IU/ml were tested by type-specific genotyping assay
The distribution of HCV genotypes was shown in Table 1; a total of 20 different HCV genotypes and subtypes were found among the Libyan population
Summary
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes have been shown to be differently distributed between distinct geographical areas. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a leading cause of chronic viral hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma Such implications have great, clinical, epidemiological and economic burdens worldwide among developing countries [1, 2]. Other studies found both subtypes within genotype 1 to confer heightened risk of histopathological damage, concomitant progression to HCC, and to a lesser extent, persistence of infection [8, 9]. Many of these studies are from geographical regions where such genotypes predominate, further studies from different regions are needed
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