Silvia Sereno1, Paola Perinelli, Vittorio Laghi. 1. Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University La Sapienza, Viale del Policlinico, 00161 Rome, Italy. silviasereno@hotmail.com
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Chronic hepatitis C is a worldwide health problem. Intravenous drug users are the main risk group. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of HCV genotypes in Italian injecting drug users and the distribution of genotypes in relation to the period when the infection was acquired. STUDY DESIGN: Two hundred sera from patients with chronic hepatitis C and a history of intravenous drug use were assayed for HCV-RNA and genotyped by a commercial line probe assay. RESULTS: Genotypes 1 (45.5%) and 3 (35%) were the most common genotypes, followed by genotypes 4 (15%) and 2 (3%). One genotype 5 (0.5%) was found. Two mixed infections (1%) were detected. Subtype could be determined in 160 cases (80%): subtype 3a was the most prevalent (41.3%), followed by subtypes 1a (23.1%) and 1b (20.6%). A significant change in the distribution of prevalent genotypes occurred since 1965 (p=0.020). Genotype 3 infections declined from 48/116 (41.4%) in 1965-1985 to 22/84 (26.2%) in 1986-2006. The prevalence of genotype 4 was significantly higher in patients infected after 1985 compared to patients infected before this year (11/116 [9.5%] vs. 19/84 [22.6%], respectively; p=0.018). CONCLUSIONS: Since 1965 the common HCV genotype 3 has become less common in Italy. Genotype 4, an imported genotype, has become more common.
BACKGROUND:Chronic hepatitis C is a worldwide health problem. Intravenous drug users are the main risk group. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of HCV genotypes in Italian injecting drug users and the distribution of genotypes in relation to the period when the infection was acquired. STUDY DESIGN: Two hundred sera from patients with chronic hepatitis C and a history of intravenous drug use were assayed for HCV-RNA and genotyped by a commercial line probe assay. RESULTS: Genotypes 1 (45.5%) and 3 (35%) were the most common genotypes, followed by genotypes 4 (15%) and 2 (3%). One genotype 5 (0.5%) was found. Two mixed infections (1%) were detected. Subtype could be determined in 160 cases (80%): subtype 3a was the most prevalent (41.3%), followed by subtypes 1a (23.1%) and 1b (20.6%). A significant change in the distribution of prevalent genotypes occurred since 1965 (p=0.020). Genotype 3 infections declined from 48/116 (41.4%) in 1965-1985 to 22/84 (26.2%) in 1986-2006. The prevalence of genotype 4 was significantly higher in patients infected after 1985 compared to patients infected before this year (11/116 [9.5%] vs. 19/84 [22.6%], respectively; p=0.018). CONCLUSIONS: Since 1965 the common HCV genotype 3 has become less common in Italy. Genotype 4, an imported genotype, has become more common.
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