Abstract

Hepatitis C is rapidly emerging as a major health problem in developing countries including Pakistan that leads to death and morbidities. HCV has a high genetic variation and is classified into six major genotypes and 67 subtypes. (Direct-Acting-Antivirals) anti-HCV drugs therapy response, resistance and recovery rates depend on HCV genotype. The epidemiological study of HCV genotypes in 2014-2016 and their main routs of infection in the Punjab Pakistan. Observational study of the patients from 27 centers. A total of 4823 serum samples were tested by type-specific genotyping assay. RNA was extracted using FoverGen Mini Kit. For HCV genotyping AmpliSens® HCV-genotype-FRT PCR kit variant FRT-g1-6. Detail history of each patient was taken on a predesigned questioner which was approved by Institutional Ethical Committee.

Total 7800 individuals were analyzed by anti HCV ELISA out of which 5451 patient were found reactive. The positive samples were further conformed by PCR for HCV and their genotypes, out of which 4823 (88.47%) were found detected for HCV RNA. In the division of genotypes in Punjab varies from a maximum of 57.6% the genotype 3a, followed by 3b 14.76% on the other hand least common genotype was type-5 (0.14%). The major route of infection was surgery/dental procedures (52.02%), use of unsafe syringes (18.45%), blood transfusion (16.26%), razors or circumcision (5.90%), less than 3% due to needle stick, while 6.35% was unclear. HCV The most spread genotype in Pakistan was 3a with rate of 58% followed by genotype 3b and 1a, respectively. Dental surgery was the main source of infection.

Keywords: Hepatitis C virus; Genotypes; Molecular epidemiology; Risk factor