Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2014 Oct 11;14(10):e20299.
doi: 10.5812/hepatmon.20299. eCollection 2014 Oct.

Geographic distribution of hepatitis C virus genotypes in pakistan

Nasar Khan  1 , Muhammad Akmal  1 , Muhammad Hayat  1 , Muhammad Umar  1 , Atta Ullah  1 , Iqbal Ahmed  1 , Kashif Rahim  1 , Sadar Ali  1 , Sulaiman Bahadar  1 , Shamim Saleha  1
Affiliations

Geographic distribution of hepatitis C virus genotypes in pakistan

Nasar Khan et al. Hepat Mon. .

Abstract

Background: Distribution of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) genotypes may be changed over time. Epidemiological Studies on distribution patterns of HCV genotypes in Pakistani population might assist for better treatment options and preventive strategies.

Objectives: This study was conducted to determine distribution patterns of HCV genotypes in different geographical regions of Pakistan.

Patients and methods: In this cross-sectional study, 1818 randomly selected patients from different geographical regions of Pakistan, diagnosed with HCV infection by the third generation Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), were included between April 2011 and December 2013. HCV RNA was detected in serum samples of patients by Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT- PCR) of the core region. Qualitative PCR was performed to determine viral load. HCV genotyping was performed by RT-nested PCR using type-specific primers of the core region. Frequency of different genotypes among patients was assessed according to gender, age and geographical region at the time of sampling.

Results: Of 1818 HCV RNA positive samples, HCV genotypes PCR fragments were detected in 1552 (85.5%) samples. HCV genotype 3a was the predominant genotype (39.4%) followed by genotype 2a (24.93%). HCV genotype 3 was the predominant genotype in Punjab and Sindh regions, while genotype 2 was the most predominant genotype in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region and the second predominant genotype after genotype 3 in Sindh region. The incidence of genotype 2a is increasing in our country with decrease in the incidence of genotype 3a. A higher incidence of HCV various genotypes were observed among male patients and those younger than 45 years.

Conclusions: This study may facilitate treatment options and preventive strategies in Pakistan.

Keywords: Distribution Patterns; Geographical Regions; HCV Genotypes; Pakistan.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.. Distribution of HCV Genotypes in the Studied Patients
Figure 2.
Figure 2.. Gender-wise Distribution of HCV Genotypes Among the Studied Patients
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Alter MJ. Epidemiology of hepatitis C virus infection. World J Gastroenterol. 2007;13(17):2436–41. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Idrees M, Rafique S, Rehman I, Akbar H, Yousaf MZ, Butt S, et al. Hepatitis C virus genotype 3a infection and hepatocellular carcinoma: Pakistan experience. World J Gastroenterol. 2009;15(40):5080–5. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Hatzakis A, Wait S, Bruix J, Buti M, Carballo M, Cavaleri M, et al. The state of hepatitis B and C in Europe: report from the hepatitis B and C summit conference*. J Viral Hepat. 2011;18 Suppl 1:1–16. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2893.2011.01499.x. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Simmonds P. Genetic diversity and evolution of hepatitis C virus--15 years on. J Gen Virol. 2004;85(Pt 11):3173–88. doi: 10.1099/vir.0.80401-0. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Penin F, Brass V, Appel N, Ramboarina S, Montserret R, Ficheux D, et al. Structure and function of the membrane anchor domain of hepatitis C virus nonstructural protein 5A. J Biol Chem. 2004;279(39):40835–43. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M404761200. - DOI - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources