title: Distribution of hepatitis C virus genotypes in Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis C: correlation with patients' characteristics and clinical parameters.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to explore the most up-to-date distribution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes in China, especially the association between HCV genotypes and patients' characteristics and clinical parameters.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sera from 483 HCV antibody-positive patients were genotyped using a HCV genotyping chip assay. The distribution of HCV genotypes, clinical parameters, modes of transmission and duration of infection were determined and the relationships among these parameters were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 424 patients were successfully genotyped. HCV genotypes 1, 2, 3 and 6 were found with a constituent ratio of 72.1%, 12.3%, 10.6% and 5.0%, respectively, in which subtypes 1b (69.1%), 2a (11.6%) and 3a (7.5%) were prevalent. The mean age of patients with genotype 1 and 2 was significantly elder than those with genotype 3 and 6 (P < 0.05). The distribution of HCV genotypes in relation to the mode of HCV transmission was remarkable (P < 0.001). Transfusion of blood and blood products was the main mode of transmission. Most genotype 1 infection (53.1%) was found in the group with a duration of HCV infection of 10-20 years. Genotype 1b was independently associated with age (P = 0.001) and mode of HCV transmission (P = 0.007).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The main HCV subtype was genotype 1b in Chinese patients. The prevalence of HCV genotypes was correlated with age and the mode of HCV transmission. Genotype 3a and 6 may become an increasing threat in the future.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Zhi Xia
authors.initials: ZX
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.forename: Hui Juan
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Jian Hua
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Xiao Gang
authors.initials: XG
authors.lastname: Xiang
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhuang
authors.forename: Si Min
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Hong Lian
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Gui
authors.forename: Gang De
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Wei Liang
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Qing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Xie
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral