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Review
. 2000 Apr;13(2):223-35.
doi: 10.1128/CMR.13.2.223.

Clinical significance of hepatitis C virus genotypes

N N Zein  1
Affiliations
Review

Clinical significance of hepatitis C virus genotypes

N N Zein. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2000 Apr.

Abstract

On the basis of phylogenetic analysis of nucleotide sequences, multiple genotypes and subtypes of hepatitis C virus (HCV) have been identified. Characterization of these genetic groups is likely to facilitate and contribute to the development of an effective vaccine against infection with HCV. Differences among HCV genotypes in geographic distributions have provided investigators with an epidemiologic marker that can be used to trace the source of HCV infection in a given population. HCV genotype 1 may represent a more aggressive strain and one that is less likely to respond to interferon treatment than HCV genotype 2 or 3. However, these observations require confirmation before HCV genotyping can be used in clinical settings.

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Figures

FIG. 1
FIG. 1
Genomic organization of HCV. First generation, second generation, and third generation refer to serologic assays for detection of HCV antibodies.
FIG. 2
FIG. 2
Worldwide geographic distribution of HCV genotypes and subtypes. “Others” indicate unclassified sequences.
FIG. 3
FIG. 3
HCV genotype distribution in patients with positive results in SIA-2 and in those with indeterminate results in SIA-2.
FIG. 4
FIG. 4
Mean time (years) between exposure to HCV and diagnosis of HCV-related complications in patients with known time of HCV acquisition.
FIG. 5
FIG. 5
Time of HCV acquisition in patients with different HCV genotypes.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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