title: Characterisation of hepatitis C virus genotype among blood donors at the regional blood transfusion centre of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is responsible for about 900 deaths every year in Burkina Faso. In this country, serological screening for hepatitis B and C viruses is only carried out systematically among blood donors. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and genotypes of HCV among blood donors using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and real-time PCR, respectively.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum samples were screened for antibodies to HCV using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ARCHITECT-i1000SR-ABBOTT). All the reactive samples for HCV antibodies were re-tested using a second enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Bio-Rad, Marnes la Coquette, France) for confirmation. RNA was detected in all the reactive samples for antibodies to HCV. HCV RNA positive samples were genotyped using the HCV Real-TM Genotype kit (Sacace Biotechnologies, Italy).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 2,200 blood donors, the prevalences of antibodies to HCV and viral RNA were 4.4% (95% confidence interval=3.5-5.3) and 1.5% (95% confidence interval=1.0-2.0), respectively. Among HCV RNA carriers, genotyping showed that HCV genotypes 2 and 3 were the most prevalent as they were detected in 18 (56.3%) and 5 (15.6%) individuals, respectively. HCV genotypes 1a and 4 were the least frequent among the blood donors. HCV mixed genotypes 2/3 and 2/4 were also detected among the blood donors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of HCV found in this study is lower than previously reported prevalences. Large-scale studies are needed to obtain a better picture of the molecular epidemiology of HCV in Burkina Faso.
authors.affiliation: "Pietro Annigoni" Biomolecular Research Centre (CERBA)/Labiogene, UFR/SVT, University of Ouagadougou, Ouagadougou, Gabon.
authors.forename: Moctar Tokèda Abdoul
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Zeba
authors.affiliation: National Blood Transfusion Centre (CNTS), Ouagadougou, Gabon.
authors.forename: Mahamoudou
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sanou
authors.affiliation: "Pietro Annigoni" Biomolecular Research Centre (CERBA)/Labiogene, UFR/SVT, University of Ouagadougou, Ouagadougou, Gabon Department of Biology, University of Sciences and Techniques of Masuku (USTM), Franceville, Gabon.
authors.forename: Cyrille
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bisseye
authors.affiliation: National Blood Transfusion Centre (CNTS), Ouagadougou, Gabon.
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kiba
authors.affiliation: "Pietro Annigoni" Biomolecular Research Centre (CERBA)/Labiogene, UFR/SVT, University of Ouagadougou, Ouagadougou, Gabon.
authors.forename: Bolni Marius
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Nagalo
authors.affiliation: "Pietro Annigoni" Biomolecular Research Centre (CERBA)/Labiogene, UFR/SVT, University of Ouagadougou, Ouagadougou, Gabon.
authors.forename: Florencia Wendkuuni
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Djigma
authors.affiliation: "Pietro Annigoni" Biomolecular Research Centre (CERBA)/Labiogene, UFR/SVT, University of Ouagadougou, Ouagadougou, Gabon.
authors.forename: Tegwindé Rebecca
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Compaoré
authors.affiliation: National Blood Transfusion Centre (CNTS), Ouagadougou, Gabon.
authors.forename: Yacouba Koumpingnin
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Nebié
authors.affiliation: National Blood Transfusion Centre (CNTS), Ouagadougou, Gabon.
authors.forename: Kisito
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kienou
authors.affiliation: "Pietro Annigoni" Biomolecular Research Centre (CERBA)/Labiogene, UFR/SVT, University of Ouagadougou, Ouagadougou, Gabon.
authors.forename: Tani
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sagna
authors.affiliation: "Saint Camille" Medical Centre, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, Gabon.
authors.forename: Virginio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pietra
authors.affiliation: "Pietro Annigoni" Biomolecular Research Centre (CERBA)/Labiogene, UFR/SVT, University of Ouagadougou, Ouagadougou, Gabon.
authors.forename: Rémy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Moret
authors.affiliation: "Pietro Annigoni" Biomolecular Research Centre (CERBA)/Labiogene, UFR/SVT, University of Ouagadougou, Ouagadougou, Gabon "Saint Camille" Medical Centre, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, Gabon.
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Simporé
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001771:Blood Banks; D001782:Blood Donors; D002050:Burkina Faso / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D046148:Donor Selection; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D060005:Genotyping Techniques; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013587:Syphilis / Q000453:epidemiology; D014766:Viremia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic