Abstract:
ABSTRACT
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has emerged as a leading cause of chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular
carcinoma. Genotypes of HCV can vary in pathogenecity and can impact on treatment outcome. To study the
prevalence and different genotypes of HCV among hospital based general population in Vijaypur, Karnataka. Study
subjects were those attending various Out-Patient Department (OPD) and In-Patient Department (IPD) of Shri
B.M. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Vijaypur, Karnataka. 5ml of blood sample was
aseptically collected in plain vial from the study subjects. Serum was separated and aliquoted in different vials.
Serum was tested for HCV antibodies by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and HCV RNA by Reverse
Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). Serum sample positive for HCV RNA was subjected to
genotyping by RFLP (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism) and direct sequencing. Of the 1,200 samples
tested, 32 (2.6%) were positive for anti-HCV antibody and 25 (2.1%) were positive for HCV RNA. HCV genotype 1
(68%) was found to be the most predominant type followed by genotype 3 (32%). The subtypes of genotype 1 were
1a and 1b, where as subtypes of genotype 3 were 3a and 3b. In this study, HCV genotype 1 and genotype 3 were
found to be the predominant genotypes respectively. For physicians, knowing the genotype of hepatitis C virus is
helpful in deciding type and duration of therapy. In addition, knowledge of circulating genotypes could impact on
future vaccine formulations.
