Epidemiological features of patients infected with HCV genotype 4 in Poland: Epidemiology of HCV genotype 4 in Poland |
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Authors: | Chlabicz Slawomir Flisiak Robert Lapinski Tadeusz W Kowalczuk Oksana Wiercinska-Drapalo Alicja Pytel-Krolczuk Barbara Grzeszczuk Anna Chyczewski Lech Pancewicz Joanna |
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Affiliation: | Department of Family Medicine and Community Nursing, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland. |
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Abstract: | BackgroundHepatitis C genotype 4 (HCV-4) is considered to be rare outside northern Africa and southern Europe.ObjectivesTo describe the epidemiological characteristics of patients infected with HCV-4 in Poland.Patients and MethodsThe study group included 290 patients with HCV-related chronic liver disease and intravenous drug users with HCV infection recruited in years 2002-2006 in Podlaskie region, north-eastern Poland. In all cases, HCV infection was confirmed by HCV-RNA detection by qualitative nested RT-PCR. HCV genotype was determined by 5''UTR sequencing and comparison with known genotype-specific sequences.ResultsHCV 4 was found in 45 (15.5%) of 290 HCV-infected and HCV RNA-positive individuals. 60% of HCV 4 infections occurred in intravenous drug users; 51% of HCV 4-infected patients were also HIV-positive. Among 119 patients whose source of infection was other than drug use, there were 16 (10.5%) HCV 4 cases. Seven (46%) of 13 HCV 4-positive and HIV-negative patients who received combined antiviral treatment had sustained viral response.ConclusionsHCV 4 exists in eastern Poland, and the infection is frequently related to intravenous drug use and accompanied by HIV infection. HCV 4 also causes a proportion of non-drug-related HCV infections. |
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Keywords: | Genotypes Hepatitis C Drug users |
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