Distribution of Hepatitis C Virus genotypes in patients with chronic Hepatitis C infection in Eastern Turkey

Viral hepatitis is one of the most important liver diseases in the world. Duration of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and response to standard therapy is strongly related to HCV genotypes. Geographical distribution of HCV genotypes is also important for epidemiological studies. We aimed to determine the distribution of HCV genotypes and their prevalence in Eastern Turkey. Fifty eight Anti-HCV, LIA, HCV-RNA positive patients (35 male, 23 female) were included in this study. Genotypes were determined by reverse dot-blot hybridization method. Distribution of HCV genotypes in 58 patients were as follows: Genotype 1b in 53.4% (n=31), genotype 1a in 36.2% (n=21), genotype 1, 3, 4, 1a/1b in 1.7 % (n=1) for each. Genotype 1 was identified as the dominant type in 93.2% (n=54). HCV genotype could not be identified in 3.4% (n=2) patients. Genotype 1b was the most common HCV genotype in our region and this result is in accordance with the previous data of Turkey. Although genotype 1b is predominant, detection of genotype 1a in studies show that genotyping is beneficial for cost-effectiveness of chronic HCV infection. Thus, genotyping of HCV patients in our region guide clinicians in terms of monitoring and treatment success.