Sunday, November 14, 2010

hepatitis C virus genotypes and subtypes among Libyan population

The information on hepatitis C virus genotypes and subtypes among Libyan population and its association with various risk factors is not known. The objectives of this study were to determine the epidemiological manifestations of HCV genotypes among Libyan patients and their association with certain potential risk factors.

Methods: A total of 1240 of HCV infected patients registered at Tripoli Medical Centre were studied in five years period from January 2005 to October 2009.

The information were reviewed and the data were collected. A sample from each patient (785 male; 455 female) was analysed for genotyping and sub-typing using specific genotyping assay.

The information was correlated with the risk factors studied and the statistical data were analyzed using SPSS version 11.5.

Results: Off the total patients studied, four different genotypes were reported, including genotypes 1, 2, 3, and 4. Genotype4 was the commonest (35.7%) , followed by genotype1 (32.6%).

According to subtypes 28% were unclassified genotype 4, 14.6% were genotype 1b and some patients infected with more than one subtype (2.3% genotype 4c/d, 1% genotype 2a/c).
Genotypes 1 was the commonest among males, while genotype 4 among females. According to the risk factors studied, Genotype1 and genotype 4 were found with most of the risk factors .Though they were particularly evident surgical intervention, dental procedures and blood transfusion while genotype 1was only followed by genotype 3 mainly associated with intravenous drug abusers

Conclusion: Here in we report on a detailed description of HCV genotype among Libyans.

The most common genotype was type 4 followed by 1, other genotypes were also reported at a low rate. The distribution such genotypes were also variable according to gender and age.

The commonly prevalent genotypes found to be attributable to the medical -related transmission of HCV, such as blood, surgery and dental procedures when compared with other risk factors. This however raises an alarming signal on the major steps to be taken to reduce such infection in Libya.

Author: Hana ElasferYoosif AghnaiahBasher Al-AlagiMohamed Daw
Credits/Source: Virology Journal 2010, 7:317

http://7thspace.com/headlines/363605/epidemiological_
manifestations_of_hepatitis_c_virus_genotypes__and_its_
association_with_potential__risk_factors_among_libyan_patients.html

No comments:

Post a Comment