title: Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of Korean patients with hepatitis C virus genotype 6.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The distribution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes varies geographically. In Korea, genotypes 1 and 2 comprise more than 90% of HCV infections, while genotype 6 is very rare. This study compared the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients with genotype 6 HCV infection with those infected with HCV genotypes 1 and 2.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective, multicenter HCV cohort study that enrolled 1,173 adult patients, of which 930 underwent HCV genotype analysis, and only 9 (1.0%) were found to be infected with genotype 6 HCV. The clinical and epidemiological parameters of the genotypes were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patients with genotype 6 HCV had a mean age of 41.5 years, 77.8% were male, and they had no distinct laboratory features. A sustained virologic response (SVR) was observed in four (67%) of six patients who received antiviral therapy. Risk factors such as the presence of a tattoo (n=6, 66.7%), more than three sexual partners (n=3, 33.3%), and injection drug use (n=3, 33.3%) were more common among genotype 6 patients than among genotypes 1 or 2.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The epidemiology and treatment response of patients infected with genotype 6 HCV differed significantly from those with genotypes 1 or 2, warranting continuous monitoring.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea.
authors.forename: Mun Hyuk
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Seong
authors.forename: Ho
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kil
authors.forename: Jong Yeop
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sang Soo
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Eun Sun
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.forename: Jin-Wook
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sook-Hyang
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.forename: Young Seok
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Si Hyun
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.forename: Youn Jae
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Han Chu
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Haesun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.forename: Byung Hak
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Kisang
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D044466:Asian People; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D056910:Republic of Korea; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications; D013653:Tattooing
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D012367:RNA, Viral
keywords: Epidemiology; Genotype; HCV; Korea; Treatment