Nine-year distribution pattern of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes in Southern Italy

Abstract

Introduction It has been greatly described that different hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes are strictly correlated to various evolution, prognosis and response to therapy during the chronic liver disease. Aim of this study was to outline the changes in the epidemiology of Hepatitis C genotypes in Southern Italy regions from 2006 to 2014. Material/Methods Prevalence of HCV genotypes was analyzed in 535 HCV-RNA positive patients with chronic Hepatitis C infection, selected during the period 2012–2014, and compared with our previous data, referred to periods 2006–2008 and 2009–2011. Results In all the three periods analyzed, genotype 1b is predominant (51.8% in 2006–08, 48.3% in 2009–11 and 54.4% in 2012–14) while genotype 2 showed an increase in prevalence (27.9% in 2006–08, 31.7% in 2009–11 and 35.2% in 2012–14) and genotypes 3a and 1a a decrease during the same period (6.8% in 2006–08, 4.7% in 2009–11 and 3.2% in 2012–14 and 7.9% in 2006–08, 4.7% in 2009–11 and 2.6% in 2012–14, respectively). Subtype 1b seems to be equally distributed between males and females (52.7% vs 56.6%) and the prevalence in the age range 31–40 years is significantly higher in the 2012–14 period than in both previous periods (53.8% vs. 16.6% in 2009–11, p< 0.001 and 13.4% in 2006–08, p < 0.001). Conclusions Genotype 1b is still the most prevalent, even if shows a significantly increase in the under 40 years old population. Instead, genotype 3a seems to have a moderate increase among young people. Overall, the alarming finding is the “returning” role of the iatrogenic transmission as risk factor for the diffusion of Hepatitis C infection.

Tumor aggression among hepatitis-C related hepatocellular carcinoma patients: an observational study regarding the impact of anti-HCV therapy

“…Pakistan is second to Egypt in the list of high prevalence countries of the world for CHC infection with 4.9% prevalence where majority of HCC cases (60-70%) are attributed to HCV infection [16][17][18]. There are several reports aimed to associate HCV genotype with evolution, prognosis and therapy response to chronic liver disease; however, no consensus has yet been established [19][20][21].…”

Variation in Hepatitis C Virus Subtype Distribution during 20 Years in Venezuela

“…It has been suggested that HCV is not autochthonous to Latin America, which is supported by the low prevalence of infection in native groups in this region [7]. In Venezuela, HCV genotype distribution has been maintained during the last 20 years (G1 > G2 > G3) and is similar to that reported in other Latin American countries, such as Argentina and Mexico, and in Europe, specifically in southern Italy, with a significantly higher frequency of G2 compared to G3 [1, 13].…”

Genetic Determinants in a Critical Domain of NS5A Correlate with Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Cirrhotic Patients Infected with HCV Genotype 1b

“…This is the case of genotype-1 and genotype-3 associated with an 80% higher risk of HCC [ 4 ]. In line with this observation, HCV genotype-1b, the most prevalent genotype in Italy [ 11 ], showed to have a higher risk of developing HCC [ 2 ].…”