HCV infection and frequency of distribution.

Abstract

Worldwide, an estimated 130-170 million people are infected with Hepatitis C. The geographic distribution of HCV infection is highly variable between and within countries. To start the antiviral therapy, it is necessary to find the genotype in order to get better forecast about observed duration of treatment. This also provides the load of virus. Treatments for patients with chronic HCV infection have recently advanced with newly licensed antivirals, which specifically target HCV. Objectives: To find out the prevalence of HCV in Faisalabad region of Pakistan and to evaluate the frequency distribution of various HCV genotypes among those with HCV infection. Study Design: Descriptive cross sectional.  Settings: Blood samples were received from Biotech Lab, Pinum cancer hospital Faisal Laboratory, Alshafa lab Jaranwala, Mehran Lab, Samundari, Rashid Lab, Shahkot and Molecular care, Human Molecular Diagnostic Department of Biochemistry University of Agriculture Faisalabad. Period: May 2016 to April 2017. Material and Methods: The data for this study included a total of 382 anti-HCV positive blood sera samples, collected from different collection centers. Nested reverse transcription (RT) PCR was done for the qualitative detection of HCV. RNA using primers that correspond to the relatively conservative 5'UTR noncoding region of the highly mutable HCV were used. Data was analysed using the descriptive statistics. Results: 233 samples were found to be confirm positive for HCV RNA by qualitative PCR.  98 (42%) were females and 135 (58%) were males. The age-group of 36-45 years bear the largest number of HCV patients (37.08%) and smallest number of patients was in the 56-65 years age-group. A total of 87.55% patients belong were below 45 years of age. The genotype 3a, 135 (77%) was the most prevalent form of all HCV genotypes in Faisalabad. A peripheral area of Faisalabad almost same distribution has been observed. The other strains detected were 2a, 29% 3b 11% were males and 5% were female), and none of the patient was detected with 2b, 4a, 5a and 6a genotype of HCV. Conclusion: This data analysis shows that there is no specific relationship of age-groups or genders in case of prevalence of different HCV Genotypes but female patients were found to have higher frequency of HCV infection.