Impact of NS5A Sequences of Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 1a on Early Viral Kinetics during Treatment with Peginterferon-α2a plus Ribavirin

摘要

Background. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 is the most prevalent genotype in Western countries, and treatment with pegylated interferon (pegIFN) plus ribavirin fails in 50%–60% of patients. Genetic variability within the NS5A dsRNA-dependent protein kinase binding domain (PKRbd) of HCV-1b has been associated with responsiveness to IFN-α. Little is known about NS5A sequences of HCV-1a.We investigated whether genetic variability of HCV-1a NS5A correlates with the early HCV kinetics during treatment.