GENOTYPIC PREVALENCE OF HEPATITIS C VIRUS AMONG HCV POSITIVE PATIENTS IN IRAN BY PCR-RFLP

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the major cause of chronic liver disease such as acute and chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. This virus is responsible for more than 60% of chronic hepatitis. Based on its genetic variability, HCV is classified into at least six genotypes and a series of subtypes (1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5a, and 6a), while Genotype one is difficult to treat but genotypes 2 and 3 are easy to treat. Different genotypes are seen in different parts of the world. HCV genotyping is important for prediction of success of chemotherapy and progression of liver diseases. So recent studies have focused on determination of HCV genotypes. In this study, viral genomic of 86 patients (from different laboratories of Esfahan) extracted from sera were detected by nested-real time (RT) PCR. PCR products were digested with proper enzymes and studied by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). The results of PCR-RFLP were as follows: 1a (52.3%), 1b (11.6%), 3a (29.1%), 2a (2.3%), 4 (4.7%). Our results showed that types 1a and 3a were the most prevalent HCV genotypes in our samples. The results of this study will guide clinicians in successful monitoring and treatment of HCV patients in our region. Keywords: Genotyping, Hepatitis C Virus, PCR, RFLP.