[Distribution of hepatitis C virus genotypes in Jeju Island].
OBJECTIVE
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype affects clinical outcomes of HCV infection, in terms of the response to antiviral therapy and progression of chronic liver diseases, and shows geographic differences in distribution. The aim of this study was to elucidate the HCV genotypes in patients with chronic HCV infection in Jeju, which is an island off the Korean peninsula.


METHODS
The study population consisted of 162 patients with anti-HCV antibodies and HCV-RNA. HCV genotypes were determined using genotype specific primers.


RESULTS
HCV genotype 2a predominated (62.3%), followed by genotype 1b (34.0%) and 2b (3.7%). The prevalence of genotypes differed significantly with age, with HCV genotypes 1 and 2 being more frequent in older and younger subjects (P=0.035), respectively. HCV-RNA levels were higher in patients with genotype 1 than in those with genotype 2 (P=0.001). HCV genotype was not significantly related to sex, clinical diagnosis and potential risk factors.


CONCLUSIONS
HCV genotype 2a is most common in Jeju, followed by genotype 1b. Our results suggest that the distribution of the HCV genotype differs between regions in Korea.
Lee
Hojun
H
Department of Medicine, Cheju National University College of Medicine Cheju National University Hospital, Jeju, Korea.
Cho
Yoo-Kyung
YK
Kim
Heung Up
HU
Choi
Eun Kwang
EK
Hyun
Soyoung
S
Kang
Donggu
D
Jeong
Seung Uk
SU
Kim
Hyun Ju
HJ
Kim
Kwang Sik
KS
Song
Byung-Cheol
BC
D000368:Aged; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D012424:Rural Population
D012367:RNA, Viral