Comparative study of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection due to genotypes 1 and 3 referred for treatment in southeast Brazil.
BACKGROUND
The progression of liver disease in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is influenced by host and viral factors. Distinct clinical outcomes in patients infected with different HCV genotypes have been described in the literature. However, the association between specific HCV genotype and clinical outcome remains unclear. We set out to study the natural history of HCV genotype 1 and 3 infections in Campinas, São Paulo state, Brazil, focusing on epidemiological, clinical, biochemical, and histological characteristics.


METHODS
Patients with HCV infection referred for treatment between January 2003 and December 2006 were included in this study. We collected epidemiological, clinical, and laboratorial data using standard forms.


RESULTS
A total of 283 patients were included; genotype 1 was identified in 163 (57.6%) patients, genotype 3 in 112 (39.6%), genotype 2 in 7 (2.5%), and genotype 4 in 1 (0.35%). Patients with genotype 2 and 4 were excluded from analysis. Multivariate analysis showed that intravenous energetic drug, positive cryoglobulin, and cirrhosis were independently and significantly associated with HCV genotype 3 (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Genotype 3 currently seems to be associated with intravenous energetic drug, high frequency of cryoglobulinemia, and advanced liver disease in our region. Understanding the distribution of the different HCV genotypes can elucidate transmission of HCV and support optimal prevention strategies.
Vigani
Aline G
AG
Grupo de Estudos das Hepatites Virais, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas - UNICAMP, Sau Paulo, Brasil. aline.vigani@sigmanet.com.br
Pavan
Maria H
MH
Tozzo
Raquel
R
Gonçales
Eduardo S L
ES
Feltrin
Adriana
A
Fais
Viviane C
VC
Lazarini
Maria S K
MS
Gonçales
Neiva S L
NS
Gonçales
Fernando L
FL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult