Evolving Trends in the Hepatitis C Virus Molecular Epidemiology Studies: From the Viral Sequences to the Human Genome

Abstract

<jats:p>Hepatitis C virus (HCV) represents a major worldwide public health problem. The search for the key molecular biomarkers that may provide insight on the basis of the differences in disease progression, severity, and response to therapy is crucial for understanding the natural history of HCV, for estimating the burden of infection and for developing preventive interventions. Initially, molecular epidemiology studies have focused on studying the viral genetic diversity (genotypes, genetic variants, specific nucleotide and amino acid substitutions). However, the clinical heterogeneities of HCV infection and the imperfect predictability of the response to treatment have suggested the need to search for host genetic biomarkers. This led to the discovery of genetic polymorphisms playing a major role in the evolution of infection, as well as in treatment response and adverse effects, such as<jats:italic>IL-28B</jats:italic>,<jats:italic>ITPA</jats:italic>, and<jats:italic>IP-10</jats:italic>. As a consequence, nowadays the focus of molecular epidemiology studies has turned from the viral to the human genome. This paper will cover recent reports on the subject describing the most relevant viral as well as host genetic risk factors analyzed by past and current HCV molecular epidemiology studies.</jats:p>

Risk Factors of HCV Seroconversion in Hemodialysis Patients in Tabriz, Iran

“…Only 20–30% of patients infected with HCV recover spontaneously and the remaining 70–80% develops chronic HCV infection. Regrettably, 3–11% of those patients will develop liver cirrhosis within 20 years, which is a strong risk factor for liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (2). Injections, transfusion of blood products, organ transplantation, chronic hemodialysis (HD), occupational exposure among health care workers, unprotected sexual contact and vertical transmission are the main risk factors for HCV transmission (3, 4).…”

Seroprevalence and Risk Factors for Hepatitis C Virus Infection among General Population in Central Region of Yemen

“…While only 20–30% of individuals exposed to HCV recover spontaneously, the remaining 70–80% develop chronic HCV infection. Moreover, 3–11% of those people will develop liver cirrhosis within 20 years, with associated risks of liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) [2]. It is now widely recognized as one of the common aetiological agents for cirrhosis of the liver.…”

“…The socioeconomic impact of HCV infection is therefore tremendous, and the burden of the disease is expected to increase around the world as the disease progresses in patients who contracted HCV years ago. Since the discovery of HCV more than 20 years ago, epidemiological studies have described complex patterns of infection concerning not only the worldwide prevalence of this virus but also its clinical presentation and its therapeutic response [2]. Although HCV is endemic worldwide, there is a large degree of geographic variability in its distribution.…”

A Review of Hepatitis C in the General Population in Pakistan

“…Nevertheless, hepatitis C is proficiently transmitted through transplantation of infected organs and hemodialysis units (87). Various reports on blood donors have shown reduction in hepatitis C frequency through blood transfusions with different prevalence rates such as, 8.34% (20) 7.1% (89) 20.8% (90), which was 68.2% in another study ( Figure 4) (71).…”

“…In China and Japan, most HCV infections are due to genotype 1b, whereas genotype 4 is frequently found in Middle East (18) and genotype 5a in South Africa (19). On the other hand, genotype 3a and 1b are more prevalent in Iran, Pakistan and India (20). Patients with HCV genotype 3a are found to be at an accelerated risk of steatosis and hepatic fibrosis whereas, severe liver disease has been reported in patients with chronic HCV genotype 1b (21).…”