Molecular prevalence of hepatitis C virus genotypes in district Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

摘要

Hepatitis C Virus is a causative agents of liver cirrhosis, having highly diversified genome. Genotype study has important role in clinical setup and prognosis of hepatitis C virus infection. The aim of this was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors associated with hepatitis C virus genotypes in district Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Hepatitis C virus pre-infected patients (n = 600) were analyzed to assess circulating HCV genotypes, using reverse transcriptase approach. Moreover serum ALT levels were determined followed by correlation with genotypes. In current study cohort, majority of patients (62%) were, having elevated ALT ( 50 U/L). similarly patients with mixed HCV genotypes, 3a/3b have relatively higher ALT levels (~62) compared to 2a/3a (~43) and others. We found significant correlation (p = 0.002) of genotype 2a in connection with ALT (49.48) level. Similarly 3a, 3b, mixed as well as un-typeable genotypes correlations were also found highly significant (p 0.001) with their mean ALT levels (47.14, 31.58, 46.69 and 43.68) respectively. In our studied population, most prevalent genotypes were 3a (25%) followed by 3b (20%) and 2a (15%). Fifteen percent of patient’s infections were untypeable while in 10% patients mixed genotype were observed. Among total 30 (5%) were blood transfusion cases, 90(15%) surgical, 540 (90%) dentistry, 360 (60%) Barber, 492 (82%) Pricks, whereas 180 (30%) cases were those having early type of HCV/HBV infection in their family. In current study, genotypes 3a and 3b were more prevalent, with two potential risk factors; dentistry and barbers. Moreover, genotypes and ALT investigations were found to be more fruitful in prognosis as well as management of HCV infection.