Hepatitis C Virus Genotypes in Patients with Hepatitis C İnfection in Kırşehir Province: Evaluation of 9 Year Results

Abstract

Objective: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the most important causes of chronic hepatitis. Genotype determination before HCV treatment is recommended for patient management. The aim of this study is to determine the HCV genotype distribution in HCV RNA positive samples sent to Kırşehir Training and Research Hospital Medical Microbiology Laboratory. Methods: Blood samples of HCV-RNA positive chronic hepatitis C patients sent for HCV genotype determination between July 1, 2014 and July 1, 2023 were included in our study. Demographic data of the patients were obtained from the hospital electronic information system. HCV-RNA levels were investigated with the realtime PCR method Cobas TaqMan (Roche Diagnostics, Germany) device between 2014 and 2022, and with the Montania 4896 (Anatolia Geneworks, Turkey) device in 2022 and 2023. Results: It was determined that 84 (59%) of the samples were genotype 1, 15 (11%) were genotype 2, 21 (15%) were genotype 3 and 19 (13%) were genotype 4. Additionally, mixed genotype was detected in 3 (2%) patients. Of the samples detected as genotype 1, 14 (10%) were found to be genotype 1a, 58 (41%) were genotype 1b and 12 (8%) were genotype 1. While 123 (87%) of the samples consisted of Turkish patients, 19 (13%) of them consisted of foreign patients. Of these 19 patients, 6 (31.5%) had genotype 1, 2 (10.5%) had genotype 2, 7 (37%) had genotype 3, 3 (16%) had genotype 4 and 1 (%5) It was determined that were in mixed genotype. Conclusion: The distribution of HCV genotypes constantly changes with migration and changing living standards. Determination and follow-up of HCV genotypes allowed regular recording of epidemiological data. In this way, it contribute to more systematic patient follow-up and management. In this study, although HCV genotype 1b was seen at the highest rate, similar to studies conducted throughout our country, genotypes other than genotype 1 were also detected in our patients.