[Significance of genotypes in chronic hepatitis C virus infection and hepatitis C virus induced liver cirrhosis in Germany].
OBJECTIVE
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is characterized by a high chronicity rate. Several HCV genotypes have been described. As their distribution pattern in Germany had been unknown it was the aim of this study to determine it in a sizeable group of patients and to find out whether the genotypes differ in the severity of the disease caused by them.


METHODS
115 consecutive patients were studied prospectively, 62 (40 men, 22 women) with chronic HCV infection (group 1) and 53 (36 men, 17 women) with liver cirrhosis caused by HCV (group 2). The genotypes were determined by line probe assay.


RESULTS
The mean age of the patients in group 1 was significantly lower than that in group 2 (40.4 +/- 13.7 vs 57.1 +/- 12.1 years; P < 0.0001). In group 1, genotype 1b was most frequent (53%; 1a: 21%, 3a: 21%, 2b: 3%, 2a: 2%). Genotype 1b also predominated in group 2 (78%; 1a: 17%, 2a: 4%, 3a: 2%). The differences in frequency between the two groups were significant regarding genotypes 1b (P = 0.01) and 3a (P = 0.005). Genotype 3a was found only in the younger patients. Mean age of patients with genotype 3a and chronic hepatitis C was significantly lower than that of the other patients in this group (34.2 +/- 4.6 vs 42.0 +/- 14.8 years; P < 0.002).


CONCLUSIONS
The results show that in Germany genotype 1b predominates and seems to be associated more often with the advanced stages of liver disease. The fact that genotype 3a occurs exclusively in younger patients points to a change in genotype spectrum: infection with this genotype may take a less aggressive course since fewer cases of liver cirrhosis have been observed.
Goeser
T
T
Abteilung Innere Medizin IV, Medizinische Universitätsklinik, Heidelberg.
Töx
U
U
Müller
H M
HM
Arnold
J C
JC
Theilmann
L
L
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D005858:Germany; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis
D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral
Bedeutung der Genotypen bei chronischer Hepatitis-C-Virusinfektion und Hepatitis-C-Virus-bedingter Leberzirrhose in Deutschland.