title: Genotypes and subtypes of hepatitis C virus in Burundi: a particularity in sub-Saharan Africa.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major public health issue. HCV genotype identification is clinically important to tailor the dosage and duration of treatment. Indeed, distinct therapeutic approaches are required for each genotype. Up to now, there is no study assessing HCV genotypes and subtypes in Burundi. The aim of the study was to determine HCV genotypes and subtypes in Burundi and to highlight the difficulties related to LiPA Method, widely used for African samples.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, a total of 179 samples contained anti-HCV antibodies were tested for HCV RNA, genotyping and subtyping. The analysis had been made in Cerba laboratory, Paris, France.
  
  
  RESULTS
  166 patients (92.7%) were genotype 4; 10 patients (5.6%) were genotype 1 and 3 patients (1.7%) were genotype 3. It was possible to determine subtypes for 51 HCV-4 (30.7%) patients. Among these, 25 (49.1%) had 4h subtype; 11 (21.6%) had 4e subtype; 2 (3.9%) had 4k subtype and 13 patients (25.5%) had 4a/4c/4d subtype. The LiPA method failed to subtype 115 (69.3%) HCV-4 and to separate the three subtype: 4a, 4c and 4d.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Genotype 4 and subtype 4h followed by 4e are the widespread in Burundi.
authors.affiliation: Centre des Maladies Digestives et du Foie « CEMADIF », Bujumbura, Burundi.
authors.forename: Rénovat
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ntagirabiri
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire Cerba, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Jean Dominique
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Poveda
authors.affiliation: Centre des Maladies Digestives et du Foie « CEMADIF », Bujumbura, Burundi.
authors.forename: Annie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mumana
authors.affiliation: Centre des Maladies Digestives et du Foie « CEMADIF », Bujumbura, Burundi.
authors.forename: Hermelance
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ndayishimiye
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017954:Africa South of the Sahara; D000368:Aged; D002063:Burundi; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015347:RNA Probes; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015347:RNA Probes; D012367:RNA, Viral
keywords: Hepatitis C virus; genotype; genotype 4; subtype