Distribution of hepatitis C virus genotypes in Arak city, central province of Iran.
OBJECTIVE
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a worldwide concern and it is the major cause of liver disease. Several genotypes of the HCV have been reported from different regions of the world. The determination of the HCV genotypes is important for the prediction of response to antiviral treatment and clinical outcomes. So, HCV genotyping in each region is of great importance. This investigation was performed to determine the distribution of HCV genotypes in Arak city, Central province of Iran.


METHODS
In this cross sectional study, 174 cases with chronic HCV infection from Arak city were enrolled. HCV infection was confirmed by positive results in HCV antibody (anti-HCV) and HCV-RNA tests. HCV genotypes were determined using a PCR based genotyping kit.


RESULTS
A total of 174 HCV infected patients with mean age of 37.5±10.24 years were enrolled. 97.7% of cases were male and 2.3% were female. The main route of HCV transmission was injection drug use (IDU) which was observed in 59.8% of cases. Genotyping results demonstrated that subtype 3a (52.9%) was the most prevalent HCV type in Arak, followed by subtype 1a (22.9%) and subtype 1ab (17.8%).


CONCLUSIONS
This study showed that HCV subtype 3a was the most prevalent HCV type, followed by subtype 1a and subtype 1ab in Arak, central province of Iran. Investigation of HCV genotypes in different parts of the country is needed to facilitate treatment options and preventive strategies.
Infectious Diseases Research Center (IDRC), Arak University of medical sciences, Arak, Iran.
Masoomeh
M
Sofian
Department of Clinical Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
Amitis
A
Ramezani
Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran.
Hossein
H
Imani
Infectious Diseases Research Center (IDRC), Arak University of medical sciences, Arak, Iran.
Ali Asghar
AA
Farazi
Iranian Society for Support of Patients with Infectious Diseases, Tehran, Iran.
Mohammad
M
Banifazl
Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran.
Ali
A
Jourabchi
Department of Clinical Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
Arezoo
A
Aghakhani
Arak; Genotype; Hepatitis C virus (HCV); Iran