Hepatitis C virus genotype distribution among intravenous drug user and the general population in Hong Kong.
This study describes the distribution of hepatitis C genotypes among 106 intravenous drug users and 949 non-drug users in Hong Kong. Genotypes were identified by multiplex RT-PCR targeting the core region of viral genome. The accuracy of this typing system in identifying genotypes 1b and 6a was assessed by phylogenetic analysis. The distribution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes amongst non-drug users was 63.6% for genotype 1b, 23.6% for 6a, 4.5% for 1a, 3.9% for 3a, and 3.1% for 2a; whereas amongst the intravenous drug users, it was 58.5% for genotype 6a, 33.0% for 1b, 5.7% for 3a, 0.9% for 1a, and 0.9% for 2a. The proportion of genotype 6a was significantly higher (P < 0.001), whereas that for genotype 1b was significantly lower (P = 0.001) for the intravenous drug user group. Multivariate analysis revealed significant independent associations for the distribution of HCV genotypes 1b and 6a with age, sex, and intravenous drug user status. The co-circulation of a common (1b) and a rare (6a) HCV genotype in Hong Kong provides a unique opportunity for future studies to compare their transmission efficiency, clinical course, and response to treatment.
Department of Microbiology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Daniel X M
DX
Zhou
Julian W
JW
Tang
Ida M T
IM
Chu
Jo L K
JL
Cheung
Nelson L S
NL
Tang
John S
JS
Tam
Paul K S
PK
Chan
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D013045:Species Specificity; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000821:virology*
D012367:RNA, Viral