Prevalence of Hepatitis C virus genotypes in nine selected European countries: A systematic review

Abstract

BackgroundHepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a global health problem especially for its increasing level of mortality. Detailed knowledge of HCV genotypes prevalence has clinical relevance since the efficacy of therapies is impacted by genotypes and subtypes distribution. Moreover, HCV exhibits a great genetic variability regionally.To date, there are no published studies assessing HCV genotypes distribution in specific countries of the Mediterranean basin. The aim of this study was to review data published from 2000 to 2017 with the purpose to estimate genotypes distribution of HCV infection in nine European countries all located in the Mediterranean basin.MethodsA systematic research of peer‐reviewed journals indexed in PubMed, Scopus, and EMBASE databases selected if containing data regarding distribution of HCV genotypes in nine selected European countries (Albania, Bosnia, Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Montenegro, Slovenia, and Spain) was performed.ResultsGenotype 1 is the most common (61.0%), ranging from 80.0% in Croatia to 46.0% in Greece, followed by genotype 3 (20.0%), varying from 38.0% in Slovenia to 7.0% and 8.0%, respectively, in Italy and in Albania and by genotype 4 (10.0%) that shows an increase of 1.1% with respect to data obtained till 2014 probably due to the increasing migrants arrivals to Southern Europe. G2, the fourth most frequent genotype (8.5%), particularly common in Italy (27.0%) and Albania (18.0%) might be probably introduced in Southern Italy as a result of Albanian campaign during Second World War and more and more increased by the migration flows from Albania to Italy in the 90s.ConclusionEpidemiology of HCV infection shows a high variability across the European countries that border the Mediterranean Sea. HCV genotyping is a relevant tool to monitor the dynamic process influenced by both evolving transmission trends and new migration flows on HCV scenario.

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].…”

HCV Infection in Thalassemia Syndromes and Hemoglobinopathies: New Perspectives

“…Regardless to Europe, genotype 1 is the most frequent and seems to be equally distributed among European countries (between 50 and 70%) followed by the genotype 3 (between 20 and 29%). About 8.9% of genotype 2 is more frequent in Western Europe, while about 4.9 and 5.8% of genotype 4 may be observed in Central and Western Europe, respectively (Petruzziello et al, 2019).…”

“…HCV is a heterogeneous virus with at least seven genotypes up to now identified. Each genotype includes multiple subtypes which differ to one another from 31 to 33% over the whole viral genome (Petruzziello et al, 2019). This genetic heterogeneity influences the efficacy of the antiviral therapy as response rate, since it must be specific for different viral strains as concerns type and duration of treatment.…”

“…Detailed knowledge of HCV genotype has a great clinical relevance since the efficacy of antiviral therapies is greatly influenced by genotypes and subtypes distribution. HCV genotypes are geographically heterogeneous and are characterized by "epidemic subtypes, " such as 1a, 1b, 2a, and 3a in high income countries and the "endemic" strains in restricted areas, such as West Africa, Southern Asia, Central Africa, and Southeastern Asia (Petruzziello et al, 2019). Regardless to Europe, genotype 1 is the most frequent and seems to be equally distributed among European countries (between 50 and 70%) followed by the genotype 3 (between 20 and 29%).…”

PDCD1 and IFNL4 genetic variants and risk of developing hepatitis C virus‐related diseases

“…The rs11568821 (PD‐1.3) was associated with the development of autoimmune diseases in Europeans and Mexicans but not in African Americans 22 . In addition, the incidence of HCC is higher among Asian Americans than White Americans 23 , while a high incidence of HCV‐related MC was present in the Mediterranean basin, 24 suggesting that genetic polymorphisms and environmental risk factors may influence the risk of these diseases. Investigation of IFNL4 and PDCD1 immunogenetic profiles in patients with different HCV‐related diseases could help to elucidate these pathologies.…”