Distribution of hepatitis C genotype and co-infection rate with hepatitis G in Saudi Arabia.

We determined the hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes and the co-infection rate with hepatitis G (HGV) in 32 Arab patients infected with hepatitis C virus. Twenty two Saudi and ten Egyptian patients were recruited from southern Saudi Arabia, an endemic region for chronic liver disease. HCV genotype was determined by PCR with genotype specific primers in the core region. Hepatitis G virus RNA was detected by the reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Five patients were blood donors, 11 patients had chronic hepatitis C infection, 13 had cirrhosis and 3 had cirrhosis with hepatocellular carcinoma. HCV genotype 4 was detected in 11 of 22 Saudi patients (50%). HCV genotype 1b was detected in 9 Saudi patients (40.9%) and HCV genotype 1a was detected in 2 Saudi patients (9.1%). Amongst the 10 Egyptian patients, HCV genotype 4 was found in 9 patients (90%)) and genotype 1b in 1 patient (10%). The co-infection rate of HGV was 31% in patients with HCV infection. We conclude that HCV genotypes 4 and 1b are the major pathogenic strains, accounting for greater than 90% of HCV across ethnic groups in the southern region of Saudi Arabia. There was no significant association between HCV genotype, age and severity of liver disease. Co-infection with HGV is common and the significance is indeterminate.