Risk Factors for Chronic Hepatitis C Treatment Relapse with Sequence Based Genotyping among Egyptian Relapse Patients

Abstract

Background: Chronic Hepatitis C Virus (CHCV) infection in Egypt is a major health problem with a record of being the highest prevalence all over the world with a high incidence of new cases and relapses. Objectives: To monitor treatment response during and post therapy in Egyptian patients and to identify the factors that raises the risk of relapse including HCV genotypes distribution among relapsed patients. Methodology: A total of 125 CHCV-RNA positive patients on two interferon based regimens were followed for 48 week for viral response and relapse to therapy. Genotyping for relapsed patients was determined using direct sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of NS5B region of the HCV genome. Results and Conclusions: Among patients on first regimens, 16 (18.8%) had an overall viral relapse following end of treatment (EOT) and 11 (12.9%) of patients did not respond. In the second group, 8 (20.0%) got viral relapse and 6 (15.0%) were non responders. All relapsed strains fall in the genotype 4a category. In conclusion, old age, higher baseline viral RNA level, histological grade of fibrosis, AFP and APRI are factors that can increase the risk of developing relapse in patients undergo therapy.