title: Distribution pattern of hepatitis C virus genotypes and correlation with viral load and risk factors in chronic positive patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has emerged as a leading cause of chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. The purpose of this study was to describe the distribution pattern of HCV genotypes in chronic hepatitis patients in the Campania region of southern Italy and estimate their association with risk factors and viral load.
  
  
  METHODS
  404 consecutive HCV ribonucleic acid-positive patients were included in the study. HCV genotyping was carried out by the HCV line probe assay test and viral load estimation by the TaqMan real-time PCR system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The predominant genotype was 1 (63.6%), followed by genotype 2 (29.4%), 3 (6.2%) and 4 (0.8%). Subtype 1b was more frequent in females than in males. Conversely, genotype 3 was more frequent in males. No significant difference was observed in age distribution of HCV genotypes. Surgery and dental therapy were the most frequent risk factors for genotype 1 and intravenous drug abuse and tattooing for genotype 3. Patients with genotype 1 more frequently showed high HCV viral load when compared to those with genotypes 2 and 3.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study revealed that HCV genotypes 1 and 2 accounted for over 95% of all HCV infections in the Campania region, and genotype 1 was more frequently associated with a higher viral load when compared to genotypes 2 and 3.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Virology and Molecular Biology 'V. Tridente', Transfusion Service, Department of Haemathology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori - Fondazione 'G. Pascale', IRCCS Italia, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Arnolfo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Petruzziello
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Coppola
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Loquercio
authors.forename: Samantha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Marigliano
authors.forename: Margherita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Giordano
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Azzaro
authors.forename: Anna Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Diodato
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Iervolino
authors.forename: Gaetano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Di Costanzo
authors.forename: Catia Addolorata
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Di Macchia
authors.forename: Tommaso
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Di Meo
authors.forename: Laurenza
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Paradiso
authors.forename: Rosario
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ferro
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Giuliano
authors.forename: Ferdinando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pasquale
authors.forename: Carmela
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cacciapuoti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012307:Risk Factors; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous; D013653:Tattooing; D014463:Ultrasonography; D019562:Viral Load