贵州地区HCV感染者基因型分布特征

目的 探讨贵州地区丙型肝炎患者HCV基因型分布特征,为HCV感染的防控和个体化治疗提供临床依据。方法 选取2011年9月-2018年10月贵阳市公共卫生救治中心1211例HCV RNA阳性的丙型肝炎患者,采用PCR直接测序法,与GenBank中已知的HCV序列进行对比,获得HCV基因型及亚型,并分析其分布与性别、年龄、民族、地区、感染途径等因素的关系。计数资料组间比较采用χ2检验或Fisher确切概率法。结果 1211例HCV感染者共检出4种基因型和11种基因亚型,其中以1b型(26.84%)、3b型(27.17%)和6a型(24.28%)为主。不同HCV基因型在男女感染者中分布差异有统计学意义(χ2=15.428,P=0.009),其中男性以3b型为主(29.34%),女性以1b型为主(32.21%)。不同HCV基因型分布在各年龄组中差异有统计学意义(χ2=67.439,P<0.001),≤18岁组与≥60岁组以1b型为主(分别为66.67%、58.93%),而19~39岁组以3b型(28.93%)、6型(29.29%)为主,40~59岁组以1b型(29.54%)、3b型(27.33%)和6型(24.28%)为主。各种感染途径的HCV基因型分布差异有统计学意义(χ2=153.916,P<0.001),感染方式以静脉药瘾为主(57.97%),其次是性接触和有创美容(均为8.42%);经静脉药瘾、有创美容感染HCV者均以3b型为主(分别为31.48%、32.35%),性接触感染者多为HCV 6型(36.27%)。不同民族、贵州地区间HCV基因型分布差异均无统计学意义(P值均>0.05)。结论 贵州地区HCV基因型分布呈多样性,3b、1b、6a型为主要流行株,存在HCV 6型中的多种少见基因亚型,且在不同的年龄、性别、感染途径方面HCV基因型分布存在差异。     

Distribution frequency of hepatitis C virus genotypes in 2231 patients in Iran

Aim: Given the importance of frequency distribution of HCV genotypes, we studied genotypic distribution of HCV in Iran. In this cross-sectional study, 2231 patients with hepatitis C who presented in hepatitis clinics in Tehran were investigated for HCV genotypes. Methods: Genotyping was performed by genotype specific primers. Results: The highest frequency was for genotype 1a, with 886 (39.7%) of subjects. Genotype 3a and 1b were the other frequent genotypes, with 613 (27.5%) and 271 (12.1%) subjects, respectively. Of the samples, 401 (18%) had an undetermined genotype. Mixed genotypes were also found in 33 samples (1.6%). Genotype 1b frequency in patients under 20 years old was 10.2%, while its frequency in patients over 60 years old was 18.5%. Genotype 1b frequency significantly increased by age (P = 0.02). Conclusion: This study indicates that the dominant HCV genotype among patients living in Tehran was 1a.     

Replacement of hepatitis C virus genotype 1b by genotype 2 over a 10-year period in Venezuela

BACKGROUND: Changes in hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype distribution with time have been reported in several countries. GOALS: To explore eventual changes in HCV genotype distribution in Venezuela over a 10 years period. STUDY: HCV genotype was determined by direct sequencing of the 5' noncoding region, in 236 isolates circulating in patients treated during years 2005 to 2006. Genotype distribution was compared with the one observed in 43 patients followed during years 1994 to 1996. RESULTS: The prevalence HCV genotype 1 and 2 was 70% and 26%, respectively, in patients followed during years 1994 to 1996. The frequency of genotype 2 was significantly increased to 41% (P=0.04) in patients treated during years 2005 to 2006. A significant reduction in HCV genotype 1b prevalence (48% to 27%, P=0.01) was also observed after this 10 years period, whereas the prevalence of HCV genotype 1a did not change over time (22% vs. 27%, NS). Transfusion was more significantly associated with infection with HCV genotype 1b than with other genotypes (52% vs. 20%, P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: HCV subtype 1b seems to have been displaced by HCV genotype 2 in a relatively short period, without increase in the frequency of genotype 3. The low frequency of HCV genotype 3 in Venezuela might be due to the fact that intravenous drug use in Venezuela is less common than in other countries. The implementation of anti-HCV testing in blood banks since 1994 in Venezuela, might have contributed to the reduction in the frequency HCV genotype 1b infection.     

丙型肝炎病毒非编码区ABC程序酶切分型研究

目的为进一步了解中国是否存在HCV 3b基因及1a、2b和6a基因型感染，建立HCV 5′端非编码区(5′ NCR)不同基因型的基因库。方法分型方法按ABC程序进行，A应用BHH′(BsrBⅠ、HaeⅡ、HinfⅠ)复介内切酶消化5′NCR cDNA，可将不同基因型划分为5组：1a、1b，6a，2a、2b，3a，3b、4a。B应用BstU Ⅰ内切酶鉴别1a、1b。C应用Hae Ⅲ内切酶鉴别2a、2b、3b、4a及6a。电泳检测片段大小。结果(1)la、1b、2a、2b、3a、3b、4a、6a 8种基因型参比品的ABC分型结果表明，该8种基因型获得良好的分型效果。(2)93份HCV RNA阳性患者ABC分型结果表明，1b型感染率占66．67％，2a型18．28％，1b／2b型、3b型及2b型均为3．23％，2a／2b型和1b／2a型各为2．15％，1a型1．08％。结论结果表明应用HCV 5′-NCR ABC分型技术既保证了HCV RNA检测的灵敏度，又能完成1a-6a型中的8种基因型的鉴别。     

上海地区丙型肝炎病毒基因分型的研究

目的 研究上海地区不同人群中丙型肝炎病毒基因型的分布和频率。方法 应用新改进的第二代谱线探针分析（Ｌｉｎｅ Ｐｒｏｂｅ Ａｓｓａｙ,ＬｉＰＡ）试验盒,对１０９份血清的ＨＣＶ ＲＮＡ逆转录－巢式ＰＣＲ阳性分离物进行了基因分型。结果 ８１份丙型肝炎患者ＨＣＶ分离物中７１份（８６．７％）为１ｂ型,４份（４．９％）为２ｃ型,２份（２．５％）为３ｂ份,１份（１．２％）为６ａ型,２份（２．５％）为混合型９２／     

Distribution of Hepatitis C Virus Genotypes in Bahrain

Background:

Approximately 170 million people are infected with Hepatitis C virus (HCV) worldwide, making it one of the world’s major infectious diseases. There are no published population based studies about the prevalence of HCV genotypes in Bahrain.

Objectives:

Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence and distribution of HCV genotypes and subtypes among a large sample of patients with chronic HCV infection in Bahrain.

Patients and Methods:

Serum samples were collected from 202 HCV positive patients; of them 128 had a viral load (> 500 IU/mL) suitable for the type-specific genotyping assay. Gender-wise and age-wise differences in the distribution of HCV genotypes were determined by Chi Square and Fisher’s Exact tests.

Results:

The predominant genotype among Bahraini patients was type 1 (36.71%), followed by genotypes 3 and 4 (15.6% each) and the lowest frequency was found for genotype 2 (3.9%). Among genotype 1, subtype 1b had the highest frequency (21.09%), followed by subtype 1a (14.06%). Among genotype 3, subtype 3a had the highest frequency (11.72%), while among genotype 4, most of subtypes were undetermined. The frequency of all different HCV genotypes was higher in male patients compared to female patients. Genotype 1 was most common in the age group of 51 - 60 years (38.3%), genotype 2 in 21 - 30 years (60%) and genotype 3 in 51 - 60 years (30%), while genotype 4 was most frequent among the age group > 61 (40%).

Conclusions:

The most common HCV genotype in Bahrain was subtype 1b followed by 1a and 3a. Further studies involving sources of transmission in Bahrain are required to enhance control measures for HCV infection.     

慢性丙型肝炎患者病毒基因分型与血清HCV RNA水平的关系探讨

目的研究HCV基因型的分布,以探讨不同基因型感染者血清HCV RNA载量的差异。方法采用PCR法检测218例慢性丙型肝炎患者血清HCV RNA;采用ELISA法检测抗-HCV抗体;使用全自动生化分析仪测定丙氨酸氨基转移酶;采用化学发光免疫分析法测定血清肝纤维化指标;采用基因芯片法进行HCV基因分型。结果在218例HCV RNA阳性血清中共检出9种基因型,分别是lb、2a、3a、3b、6型单基因型共208例和lb+2a、lb+3b、lb+6型、2a+3a共10例四种混合基因型,其中以lb型168例(77.1%)、2a型19例(8.7%)为主;在208例HCV单基因型感染患者中发现不同基因型感染者血清HCV RNA载量无统计学差异(F=0.932,P>0.05);在168例1b基因型和40例非lb基因型感染者,性别差异无统计学意义(x2=0.857,P>0.05),两型感染者之间肝纤维化指标差别比较也无统计学意义。结论我国HCV基因型以lb型为主,基因型与HCV RNA载量及ALT水平之间无相关性。     

山东地区丙型肝炎病毒的基因型及血清学分型的研究

探索山东地区丙型肝炎病毒(HCV)的基因型及血清学分型的分布,了解HCV基因型与感染途径的关系.对96例抗HCV阳性患者的血清进行HCV RNA检测,HCV RNA阳性者,应用限制性片段长度多态性分析(RELP)进行基因分型;同时应用Murex Serotyping HCV 1-6血清学分型试剂进行血清学分型.基因非2(1b)型79例,占83.16%,2(2a)型为16例占16.84%,44份血清标本的血清学分型可分型率为90.91%,与基因分型的符合率为90.00%.不同的感染途径之间,基因型分布没有差异(P=0.15).山东地区丙型肝炎病毒流行株为基因非2(1b)和2(2a)型,非2(1b)型为优势株,基因分型与血清学分型结果基本一致,基因型与丙型肝炎的感染途径无关.     

Relationship between genotypes of hepatitis C virus and histopathological manifestations in chronic hepatitis C patients

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between HCV genotype and histological liver injury. DESIGN: Prospective study on a cohort of patients with biopsy proven chronic hepatitis C. SETTING: University medical centre. PARTICIPANTS: Enrolled were 324 consecutive patients (male 197, median age 52 years, range 19-68; chronic hepatitis, 224; cirrhosis, 100). METHODS: HCV genotype was determined by the INNO LiPA assay and HCV RNA levels by the bDNA assay. The histological features were scored according to the histology activity index. RESULTS: The distribution of HCV genotypes was 1a, 4.6%; 1b, 52.4%; 2a/c, 27%; 3a, 8%; 4, 2%; mixed, 6%. Serum HCV RNA levels were similar for all genotypes. There was no difference in the distribution of HCV genotypes between patients with chronic hepatitis and those with cirrhosis. Patients with genotype 1b and those with type 2a/c showed a similar prevalence of cases of cirrhosis (33% versus 31%, respectively). In addition, in a subgroup of 102 patients with an established date of infection, the progression to cirrhosis occurred with a similar length of time for HCV type 1b and 2a/c (median 16 versus 15 years, respectively). Patients with HCV genotype 2a/c or mixed genotype showed a higher histology activity index than those with type 1b (P< 0.01), whereas there was no difference in the fibrosis score for the different genotypes. Patients with genotype 3a showed a significantly higher prevalence of steatosis compared to those infected with other genotypes. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) values were higher in patients with HCV type 2a/c, 3a and mixed genotype than those with type 1 (P < 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The data indicate that there is no association between a particular HCV genotype and the progression to cirrhosis, and that specific genotypes are associated with distinct histopathological and biochemical manifestations although none of them is correlated with an increase of the fibrosis stage.     

Genotypes and multiple infections with hepatitis C virus in patients with haemophilia A in Japan

SUMMARY. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA was tested for, and HCV genotypes determined, in 96 patients with haemophilia A in Japan. Of 88 patients aged ≥ 10 years, 74 (84%) were positive for HCV RNA at a frequency higher than that in patients aged less than 10 years (one of eight, 13% P <0.001). Genotype I/1a was detected in 30 (40%), II/1b in 12 (16%), III/2a in eight (11%), IV/2b in five (7%) and V/3a in 12 (16%); mixed infection with HCV of two different genotypes was identified in the remaining nine (12%). This distribution was markedly different from that in 767 Japanese HCV carriers without haemophilia, in whom II/1b accounted for the majority (68.7%), I/1a was rare (0.5%), V/3a was absent, and mixed infection was observed rarely (1.3%). Mixed infection was transient in all of the seven haemophilic patients who were followed for 1 to 7 years. One of them was infected with genotype II/ 1b and an unclassifiable genotype, which showed nucleotide sequence similarity to genotype 4c from Zaire (82% homology in the El gene) and to 4a from Egypt (91% homology in a part of the NS5b region). In this patient, HCV of genotype II/1b disappeared while that of group 4 survived during a 4-year observation period. These results indicate different epidemiology of HCV genotypes in Japanese haemophiliacs, attributable to HCV contaminating factor VIII imported in the past, and an increased opportunity in haemophiliacs for mixed infection with HCV of different genotypes.     

Virological characteristics of HCV infection in Japanese haemophiliacs

It has been found that almost all haemophiliacs treated with pooled concentrates of clotting factor VIII or IX before 1985/6 have been infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). In order to clarify the characteristics of HCV infection in Japanese haemophiliacs, we investigated the HCV genotype and HCV-RNA level in 80 patients with haemophilia who had been confirmed to be positive by a second-generation HCV antibody test. HCV-RNA was detected in 60 (75.0%) individuals and various HCV genotypes were found. Although 80% (48/60) of the patients had genotype 1b, the frequency of each genotype was quite different from that in HCV-infected non haemophiliac Japanese. Particularly, multiple HCV genotypes were observed in 27 (46.7%) patients. The mean (± SD) level of HCV-RNA was 5.3 × 10⁵ ±  1.1 × 10⁶ copies mL⁻¹. The viral load in patients with genotype 2a was significantly less common than those with genotype 1a ( P = 0.0007), genotype 1b ( P = 0.0009) and combined genotype 1a/1b ( P = 0.0019). In patients co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the HCV-RNA level was significantly higher ( P = 0.05) than in those without co-infection. However, there was no significant difference ( P = 0.25) in the HCV-RNA level with HCV/HIV co-infection among the 40 patients with group 1 genotypes. We conclude that this biased distribution of HCV genotypes in Japanese haemophiliacs reflects their specific mode of HCV infection. Moreover, these results suggest that super-infection with HIV does not greatly influence the HCV load in patients with no marked immunological deterioration.     

Hepatitis C virus genotypes in Australia

The relative distribution of Australian hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes was determined for 500 isolates. Genotyping was performed using a commercial reverse phase hybridization assay after amplification of the 5' untranslated region of HCV by the polymerase chain reaction. Australian isolates comprised, predominantly, genotype 1 (55%) and genotype 3 (38%) with genotype 2 accounting for only 7%. Genotype 3a was the most common subtype. When the major risk groups of injecting drug users or transfusion-acquired hepatitis C were compared, there was a significantly higher incidence of genotype 1b in the transfusion-acquired group ( P < 0.03). When the age of the patients was analysed, genotype 3a was more prevalent in the 21–40-year age group than the 41–60-year age group ( P <0.05). There was no significant difference in genotype distribution between males and females. HCV genotypes 1, 2 and 3 are most often found in developed countries but the relatively high prevalence of genotype 3a in Australia is unusual.     

Hepatitis C virus genotype and subtype distribution among ethnic minorities in Liaoning Province of China

To provide information and a basis for improved hepatitis C prevention and treatment, we aimed to determine the distribution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes among patients with hepatitis C from 4 ethnic minorities in Liaoning Province of China over the past 8 years and analyze and explore the virus’ genotype evolution and possible clinical significance.For gene-sequencing, we collected peripheral blood samples of HCV-infected patients belonging to the Korean, Hui, Mongol, and Manchu ethnic minorities in Liaoning Province who were diagnosed at the Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Anshan Central Hospital, and the Second People''s Hospital of Fuxin City between November 2011 and November 2019. To analyze genotype evolution and possible influencing factors, we determined the ratio of various genotypes. Among the 102 HCV-infected patients from 4 ethnic minorities in Liaoning Province, 46 had gene typing (GT)1b (45.10%), 15 had GT2a (14.71%), 14 had GT3a (13.73%), 13 had GT6a (12.75%), 3 had GT1a (2.94%), and 11 had an unclassified genotype (10.78%). The distribution of various genotypes in the Korean, Mongol, and Manchu ethnic minorities was significantly different (χ² = 10.788, P = .029; χ² = 7.846, P = .049; and χ² = 22.400, P = .000, respectively). All ethnic minorities exhibited >40% of GT1b. In the Korean (14/33) and Manchu (14/30) ethnic minorities, the proportion of GT1b was significantly higher than those of other genotypes (P < .05). The ethnic Koreans had a high proportion of GT3a (18.18%, 6/33), whereas the ethnic Mongolians had a high proportion of GT6a (23.08%, 6/26). GT1a was only found in the Korean (6.06%, 2/33) and Manchu (3.33%, 1/30) ethnic minorities; in the Hui ethnic minority, only 3 genotypes were prevalent: GT1b, GT2, and GT3a. The ethnic minorities in Liaoning Province currently have diverse HCV genotypes; the most prevalent genotype is GT1b, followed by GT2a and GT3a, and the prevalence of GT3 and GT6 has increased. The distribution of HCV genotypes varies across different ethnic minorities. The Korean and Manchu ethnic minorities have the most prevalent genotypes, whereas the Hui ethnic minority has a relatively single distribution of the HCV genotype.     

Hepatitis C virus genotypes in north eastern Algeria: A retrospective study

AIM: To determine the frequency of various hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes present in patients from north eastern Algeria. METHODS: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study of 435 HCV infected patients from northeast Algeria, detected in the Sadelaoud laboratory and diagnosed between January 2010 and December 2012. The patients were diagnosed with HCV infection in their local hospitals and referred to be assessed for HCV genotype before the antiviral treatment. Demographic information (sex, age and address), genotype, subtype and viral load were retrieved from the patient medical records. The serum samples were tested by the type-specific genotyping assay.RESULTS: The majority of the patients (82.5%) were from the central part of the examined region (P = 0.002). The mean age of the patients studied was 53.6 ± 11.5 years. HCV genotype 1 was the most frequent (88.7%), followed by genotypes 2 (8.5%), 4 (1.1%), 3 (0.9%) and 5 (0.2%). Genotype 6 was not detected in these patients. Mixed infection across the HCV subtypes was detected in twenty patients (4.6%). The genotype distribution was related to age and region. Genotype 1 was significantly less frequent in the ≥ 60 age group than in the younger age group (OR = 0.2; 95%CI: 0.1-0.5, P < 0.001). Furthermore, genotype 1 was more frequent in the central part of the examined region than elsewhere (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The HCV genotype (type 1b was dominant) distribution in Algeria is different from those in other northern countries of Africa.     

Distribution of IL28B Genotypes in Iranian Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C and Healthy Individuals

Background

IL28B polymorphism is recognized as one of the most prominent predictors of hepatitis C spontaneous and treatment-induced clearance. Interestingly, the favorable genotypes of IL28B are found to be more frequent in Asian ethnicity than Caucasian and African populations, respectively. A few studies reported that there is a mysterious association between the IL28B polymorphism and the hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype in patients with chronic hepatitis C but they did not give any reason for this phenomenon.

Objectives

The foremost purpose of this study was to compare the distribution of IL28B genotypes between Iranian healthy individuals and patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Patients and Methods

In this study, 921 patients with chronic hepatitis C and 142 healthy individuals were included. The IL28B rs12979860 and rs8099917 polymorphisms were genotyped using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method.

Results

The frequency of IL28B rs12979860 CC, CT, and TT genotypes in chronic hepatitis C patients was 38%, 48.8%, and 13.2% and in healthy individuals was 43.7%, 48.6%, and 7.7%. Also, the frequency of IL28B rs8099917 TT, GT, and GG genotypes in chronic hepatitis C patients was 58.3%, 37.1%, and 4.6% and in healthy individuals was 64.1%, 32.4% and 3.5%. The differences in the distribution of IL28B rs12979860 and rs8099917 genotypes between patients with chronic hepatitis C and healthy individuals were not statistically significant. When we compared the distribution of IL28B genotypes between the healthy group and the HCV infected patients by HCV genotype, we found 9.8% higher frequency of rs12979860 CC genotype in the healthy individuals than HCV genotype 1 infected patients (P = 0.03) however there was no significant difference in the distribution of rs12979860 genotypes between the healthy and HCV genotype 3 infected groups (P = 0.46).

Conclusions

It seems that the impact of IL28B polymorphism on the spontaneous clearance of HCV genotype 1 is more prominent than HCV genotype 3 which results in the observation of higher rs12979860 C allele frequency in chronic hepatitis C patients with HCV genotype 3 than HCV genotype 1.     

慢性丙型肝炎患者病毒基因型与IL-28B基因型分布

目的：了解慢性丙型肝炎患者白细胞介素-28B（IL-28B）基因型多态性分布的特点及其临床意义。方法在27例慢性丙型肝炎患者,分离外周血细胞DNA,采用IPLEX Gold法检测宿主IL-28B基因多态性;分析患者IL-28B基因型与血清丙型肝炎病毒（HCV）基因型、HCV RNA载量和肝功能指标的相关性。结果在27例慢性丙型肝炎患者中,感染HCV基因1型1例（3.7%）,1b基因型7例（25.9%）,其它基因型19例（19/27,70.4%）;在IL-28B基因型中,rs12979860 CC基因型、rs12980275 AA基因型及rs8099917 TT基因型共24例（88.9%）,而IL28B rs12979860 CT基因型、rs12980275 GA基因型和rs8099917 GT基因型共3例（11.1%）;在HCV基因1型或1b型感染者中,IL28B rs12979860 CC基因型、rs12980275 AA基因型和rs8099917 TT基因型占62.5%（5/8）,而HCV其他基因型感染者IL28B rs12979860 CC基因型、rs12980275 AA基因型和rs8099917 TT基因型占100%（19/19）;HCV基因1型或1b型感染者与HCV其他基因型感染者比,其IL28B rs12979860位点、rs12980275位点和rs8099917位点基因型分布有显著性差异（P＆lt;0.01）;IL-28B基因多态性分布与患者血清HCV RNA载量或肝功能指标的变化无显著性相关。结论本组慢性丙型肝炎患者HCV基因型大多为非1型;大多数感染者IL-28B基因为rs12979860 CC、rs12980275 AA和rs8099917 TT基因型。     

中国HCV基因型分布的Meta分析*

目的 分析中国不同地区、民族和感染途径人群丙型肝炎病毒(HCV)基因型的分布特点。方法 通过检索万方数据库和NCBI数据库中有关中国HCV基因型分布的文献,按照地区、民族和感染途径进行数据分类,应用Meta分析研究HCV基因型的分布特点。结果 在我国,HCV1型流行最广泛,北部地区主要为1型(52.7%～79.7%)和2型(13.9%～44.9%),东南部地区主要为1型(51.7%～79%),6型在香港(31.3%)、广东(23.1%)、福建(21.8%)、澳门(20.6%)地区分布较多,西南部地区主要为1型(19.7%～73.4%)和3型(13.4%～58.5%),西部地区主要为1型(53.6%～66.8%),也有较多的2型(15.8%～32.1%)和3型(12.8%～15.8%);朝鲜族2型比例(42.2%)显著高于汉族(22.4%,P<0.001)、维吾尔族(13.1%,P<0.001)和哈萨克族(18.5,P=0.004),维吾尔族3型比例(16.6%)显著高于汉族(9.4%,P<0.001);静脉吸毒人群感染HCV 3型比例(31.1%)显著高于血液感染相关人群(4.5%,P<0.001)、性传播感染人群(24.1%,P=0.003),静脉吸毒人群感染HCV6型比例(26.7%)显著高于血液感染相关人群(4.1%,P<0.001)和性传播感染人群(15.1%,P<0.001);在HCV/HIV混合感染者中3型和6型比例显著高于单纯HCV感染者(P<0.001)。结论 在不同地区、民族和感染途径人群中HCV基因型分布存在显著性差异,了解这些差异并进行针对性的处理可能有助于防治研究。     

Geographical distribution of HCV genotypes in Mexico

Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is the second cause of endstage liver disease in our country and one of the main indications of liver transplantation. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype is the principal prognostic factor and the determinant of the therapeutic scheme. In our country few data exist regarding the prevalence of HCV infection and genotype distribution in the Mexican Republic has not been determined. The aim of this study was to characterize the prevalence of the different HCV genotypes and to explore their geographical distribution. Methods: Mexican patients with hepatitis C infection, detected throughout the country between 2003 and 2006, were included. All samples were analyzed by a central laboratory and Hepatitis C genotype was identified by Line Immuno Probe Assay in PCR positive samples (Versant® Line Probe Assay Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute, San Juan Capistrano CA). Data were analyzed according to the four geographical areas in Mexico. Results: One thousand three hundred and ninety CHC patients were included. The most frequent genotype detected was genotype 1 (69%) followed by genotype 2 (21.4%) and genotype 3 (9.2%). Genotype 4 and 5 were infrequent. There was no subject infected with genotype 6. Genotype 1 and 2 exhibit very similar distribution in all geographical areas. Genotype 3 infected patients were more frequent in the North region (52%) compared with other areas: center-western (30%), center (17%), South-South east (1%) (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The most prevalent HCV genotype in Mexico is genotype 1. Geographical distribution of HCV genotypes in the four geographical areas in Mexico is not homogenous with a greater frequency of genotype 3 in the north region. This difference could be related to the global changes of risk factors for HCV infection.