Investigation of Genotype Distribution in Hepatitis C Patients in Giresun Province

Abstract

Introduction: HCV infections are an important public health problem due to their high chronicity, cirrhosis and advanced complications like hepatocellular carcinoma. In HCV infections, it is important and necessary to determine genotypes before treatment because treatment times and protocols vary according to genotypes. The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of HCV genotypes in HCV-RNA positive individuals in Giresun province and to investigate whether there was a statistically significant difference between genotypes and patient ages. Materials and Methods: HCV-RNA level and HCV genotype of 147 patients were included in the study. HCV RNA levels of the samples were studied by QIAsymphony SP (Qiagen) automated device, genotype determination by Rotor Gene Q (Qiagen) automated device by “real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR)” method. Each sample was tested for HCV genotypes 1a, 1b, 2, 3, 4, 5a and 6. Results: Of the 147 patients genotyped; 128 (87%) genotype 1b, 9 (6%) genotype 1a, 8 (6%) genotype 3, 2 (1%) genotype 2 were detected. Genotypes 4, 5a and 6 were not detected. According to the HCV genotype distribution, median age and range (min.-max.) of the patients weren50 (30-83) for 1a, 70 (22-87) for 1b, 48.5 (36-61) for 2 and 33 (25-52) for 3. HCV RNA levels were between 37 and 12.630.170 IU/mL. Conclusion: The predominant genotype in the world and Turkey is genotype 1b. In our study, the most common genotype was also genotype 1b (87%), consistent with other studies in our country. This study contributed to HCV genotype distribution data in our region and country.