title: Distribution and predominance of genotype 3 in hepatitis C virus carriers in the province of kahramanmaras, Turkey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The hepatitis C virus (HCV) has six major genotypes and more than 100 subtypes, and the determination of the responsible genotype, collection of epidemiological data, tailoring antiviral therapy, and prediction of prognosis have an important place in disease management.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to determine the distribution of HCV genotypes across geographic regions and compare these data with those obtained from other geographic locations.
  
  
  METHODS
  The HCV genotypes were identified in HCV RNA positive blood samples, obtained from different centers. The HCV genotype was determined using molecular methods [Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)] in 313 patients, who were found to be positive for HCV RNA. The presence of HCV RNA was investigated using the RT-PCR method in serum samples delivered to the Microbiology Laboratory at Kahramanmaras Necip Fazıl City Hospital, Kahramanmaras, Turkey, from the centers located in Kahramanmaras City center and peripheral districts of the province, between March 2010 and August 2014. The HCV genotype analysis was performed in HCV RNA positive samples, using RT-PCR reagents kit. Urine samples from the patients were tested for amphetamine with an Amphetamines II (AMPS2) kit, cocaine was tested with a Cocaine II (COC2) kit, opiates were tested with an Opiates II (OPI2) kit, and cannabinoids were tested with a Cannabinoids II (THC2) kit in Roche/Hitachi Cobas c501 device.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The blood samples collected from 313 patients were included in the study. Of these patients, 212 (67.7%) were male and 101 (32.3%) were female. The mean age of the patients was 41.29 ± 20.32 years. In terms of HCV genotype distribution, 162 patients (51.7%) had genotype 1, 144 patients (46%) had genotype 3, four patients (1.3%) had genotype 2, and three patients (1%) had genotype 4. The results of urine drug tests were available in only 65 patients (20.2%). Of these, 61 (93.8%) patients had HCV genotype 3.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, the prevalence of HCV genotype 1 was 51.7%, which was lower than the rates reported in other studies in Turkey, while the prevalence of HCV genotype 3 was 46%, which was remarkably higher than the reported Turkish data. In addition, the prevalence rate for genotype 3 reported in the present study is the highest that has ever been reported in the literature.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, Necip Fazil City Hospital, Kahramanmaras, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Caliskan
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, Necip Fazil City Hospital, Kahramanmaras, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ozlem
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kirisci
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, Necip Fazil City Hospital, Kahramanmaras, Turkey.
authors.forename: Esra
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ozkaya
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, Necip Fazil City Hospital, Kahramanmaras, Turkey.
authors.forename: Sevinc
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ozden
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, Necip Fazil City Hospital, Kahramanmaras, Turkey.
authors.forename: Seray
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tumer
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biohemistry, Necip Fazıl City Hospital, Kahramanmaras, Turkey.
authors.forename: Serkan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Caglar
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Sutcu Imam University, Kahramanmaras, Turkey.
authors.forename: Selma Ates
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Guler
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hande
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Senol
keywords: Genotype; Hepatitis C; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Turkey