Determination of HCV genotyping for therapeutic purpose in capital city Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis C is an infectious disease affecting the liver, caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). The hepatitis C virus is a small, enveloped, single-stranded, positive sense RNA virus with a large genetic heterogeneity. Hepatitis C virus is classified into six major genotypes with closely related isolates, which are grouped into many subtypes. Genotypes 1, 2 and 3 circulate around the world, while other genotypes are mainly restricted to particular geographical areas. Genotype determination of HCV is clinically valuable as it provides important information, which can be used in determining the type and duration of therapy and in predicting the outcome of the disease. Results: Plasma samples were collected from one hundred and sixty-eight HCV RNA positive patients who were referred to the DNA Lab Limited, Dhaka, Bangladesh by specialists in order to determine genotypes for treatment purpose between January 2017 and December 2018. Plasma samples from patients were subjected to HCV genotype determination through the use of Real-Time PCR method. The frequency of HCV genotypes was determined as follows: genotype 3a (82.1%), 1a (11.3%), 1b (4.2%), 6 (1.2%), 4 (0.6%) and 5a (0.6%). Conclusion: Genotype 3a is the most prevalent followed by the genotypes 1a & 1b and the less frequent genotypes are 4, 5 and 6 in capital city Dhaka, Bangladesh.