Genetic variability of the core protein in hepatitis C virus genotype 4 in Saudi Arabian patients and its implication on pegylated interferon and ribavirin therapy.
BACKGROUND
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) shows a remarkable genetic diversity, contributing to its high persistence and varied susceptibilities to antiviral treatment. Previous studies have reported that the substitution of amino acids in the HCV subgenotype 1b core protein in infected patients is associated with a poor response to pegylated interferon and ribavirin (PEG-IFN/RBV) combined therapy.


OBJECTIVE
Because the role of the core protein in HCV genotype 4 infections is unclear, we aimed in this study to compare the full-length core protein sequences of HCV genotype 4 between Saudi patients who responded (SVR) and did not respond (non-SVR) to PEG-IFN/RBV therapy.


METHODS
Direct sequencing of the full-length core protein and bioinformatics sequence analysis were utilized.


RESULTS
Our data revealed that there is a significant association between core protein mutations, particularly at position 70 (Arg70Gln), and treatment outcome in HCV subgenotype 4d patients. However, HCV subgenotype 4a showed no significant association between core protein mutations and treatment outcome. In addition, amino acid residue at position 91 was well-conserved among studied patients where Cys91 is the dominant amino acid residue.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings provide a new insight into HCV genotype 4 among affected Saudi population where the knowledge of HCV core gene polymorphisms is inadequate.
Fatimah S
FS
Alhamlan
Mohammed N
MN
Al-Ahdal
Nisreen Z
NZ
Khalaf
Ayman A
AA
Abdo
Faisal M
FM
Sanai
Hamad I
HI
Al-Ashgar
Mahmoud
M
ElHefnawi
Amina
A
Zaid
Department of Infection and Immunity, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center MBC 03, P,O, Box 3354, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia. aqahtani@kfshrc.edu.sa.
Ahmed A
AA
Al-Qahtani
D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018936:Hepatitis C Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012529:Saudi Arabia
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D018936:Hepatitis C Antigens; D012254:Ribavirin; D007372:Interferons