HCV serotypes in Brazilian patients.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the prevalence of the different types of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in a population of chronic HCV carriers using the Murex HCV serotyping 1-6 assay.


METHODS
All serum samples from these patients had a positive nested PCR HCV reaction. The sera were submitted to ELISA, modified, for the identification of antibodies against HCV serotypes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 (Murex HCV serotyping 1-6 assay).


RESULTS
The viral serotype was identified in 166 (75.8%) of the 219 patients, 108 (65.11%) males and 58 (34.9%) females. Patient age ranged from 12 to 73 years, with a mean of 41.1 years. The form of acquisition of the disease most frequently reported was blood transfusion. The results showed a predominance of type 1 (70.0%), followed by type 3 (22.3%) and type 2 (4.2%).


CONCLUSIONS
Samples presenting low and very close optical density readings may lead to discrepant diagnoses concerning HCV serotypes and should be confirmed by genotyping. The serotyping can be useful in clinical practice and can be of help in establishing the prognosis of the disease, also favoring epidemiologic studies independently of the technology required for genotyping tests.
Cavalheiro
Norma de Paula
Nde P
Hepatitis Laboratory, University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Brazil. norma@usp.br
Barone
Antonio Alci
AA
Tengan
Fátima Mitiko
FM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002353:Carrier State / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015995:Prevalence; D012703:Serotyping
D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies