engleski

Distribution of hepatitis C virus genotypes in the Croatian population

The aim of the study was to determine the distribution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes in 662 chronic hepatitis C patients and 95 blood donors in Croatia. HCV-RNA analysis was performed by nested RT-PCR with primers located in 5'UT region. Genotyping according to Simmonds' classification was performed by use of restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method with restriction enzymes Rsa I, Hae III and Bst UI. Sequencing was used for genotype verification. Genotype 1b was most commonly detected, i.e. in 42.1% of HCV patients and 67.4% of blood donors, followed by 3a (27.8% vs 11.6%), 1a (17.2% vs 17.9%), 2c (6.5% vs 1.1%), 4 (3.6% vs 0%) and mixed genotypes (2.7% vs 2.1%). Analysis of age distribution of particular genotypes showed genotype 1b to predominate in >30 age groups, whereas genotypes 3a and 1a predominated in younger, <30 age groups of subjects. In conclusion, the distribution of HCV genotypes in the Croatian population was found to be comparable to that in Central European countries, characterized by genotype 1b predominance.

: hepatitis C virus; HCV genotype; RFLP method; IFN therapy

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