title: Changes in the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 4 in Calabria, Southern Italy.
abstract: The aim of this study was to assess changes in the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes, focusing on genotype 4, by surveying population of chronic hepatitis C patients within an area of Southern Italy. HCV-RNA was detected in serum using two commercial hepatitis C RNA PCR assays (Amplicor Roche Diagnostic System, and AmpliSensor HCV, Nuclear Laser Medicine). PCR products were analyzed for genotyping using a reverse hybridization of the amplified product by a line probe assay (INNO LIPA, Innogenetics). In our Institution we have previously observed, in a period of 18 months (January 1997-May 1998) an initial increase of the genotype 4 which appeared in 3.3% of HCV patients versus a percentage of 1.3%, during 1996. Later data obtained from 702 HCV-RNA positive patients, collected from June 1998 until December 1999 indicated a 3.7% of genotype 4. This percentage increased until to 4.7% in the most recent period studied (January 2000-February 2001). Drug addiction, blood transfusion and sporadically acquired infections represented the most frequent risk factors. In the Calabria region, genotype 1b, the most prevalent isolate (53.3%) and genotype 2a/2c (26.2%) were associated with older age, confirming our previous study. Genotype 4 was the fifth most prevalent genotype observed, just after 3a and 1a subtypes. Spread of genotype 4 in Calabria region is mostly associated to older age when compared to genotype 3a and 1a, but is statistically associated with a younger group of patients when compared with genotype 1b. In conclusion we demonstrated a fourfold increased prevalence of HCV genotype 4 during the last 5 years.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Sciences, Institute of Microbiology, University of Catanzaro, Italy. mmatera@unicz.it
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Matera
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lamberti
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Quirino
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Focà
authors.forename: Aida
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giancotti
authors.forename: Giorgio S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Barreca
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Guadagnino
authors.forename: Maria Carla
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Liberto
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005814:Genes, Viral; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015995:Prevalence