title: Genotype distribution of hepatitis C virus in Khorasan Razavi Province, Iran.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Several types of the hepatitis C virus (HCV), with variations in different parts of the genome, have been isolated from different regions of the world. Based on heterogenic sequences in the isolated genome, HCV is classified into different genotypes and subtypes. Data on distribution of HCV genotypes in a certain region could be important to patient management. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the distribution of HCV in Mashhad, Northeast Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional study was conducted on 103 patients with HCV infections in Mashhad. Among the participants, at least 22 (21.4%) were intravenous drug users. HCV seropositivity was determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and was confirmed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. HCV-positive samples were selected for HCV genotyping using genotype specific primers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 103 subjects, 43 (41.7%) and 34 (33.0%) had genotypes 1a and 3a, respectively. Other genotypes including 1b, 2a, 2b, 3b, and 5a were found in 4 (3.9%), 1 (1.0%), 3 (2.9%), 4 (3.9%), and 1 (1.0%), respectively. Coinfections with 2 genotypes were also observed in 11 (10.7%) patients. Genotyping for 2 (1.9%) of 103 samples did not produce any results.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Genotypes la and 3a were found to be the most prevalent HCV genotypes in Mashhad, Iran.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Toxicology, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran.
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Afshari
authors.forename: Hosein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nomani
authors.forename: Fatemeh Riyahi
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Zaniani
authors.forename: Maryam Sadat
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Nabavinia
authors.forename: Zohreh
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Mirbagheri
authors.forename: Mojtaba
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Meshkat
authors.forename: Sina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gerayli
authors.forename: Sina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rostami
authors.forename: Zahra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Meshkat
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D060085:Coinfection / Q000821:virology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction