Genotype distribution of hepatitis C virus in Huzhou, Zhejiang province

Objective To study the distribution of genotypes of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in Huzhou. Methods Genotyping of HCV isolated from sera of hepatitis C patients was conducted by direct sequencing of products of reverse transcription nest PCR (RT-nest PCR). Meanwhile, their serum HCV-RNA level and ALT level were detected. Results In the 94 patients surveyed, genotypes 1a was detected in 5 cases (5.3%), genotype 1b in 77 cases (81.9%), genotype 2a in 9 cases (9.6%), genotype 3a in 1 cases (1.1%) and genotype 6a in 2 cases (2.1%). The gender specific differences on genotypes distributions were without statistical significance (P0.05), the age specific difference on the distributions of genotype 1b and other genotypes had no statistical significance (P0.05) and the differences on genotypes distributions between the patients with blood borne infection and the patients without blood borne infection were not statistical significant (P0.05). The differences on serum HCV-RNA level and ALT level between genotype 1b patients and genotype 2a patients had no statistical significance (P0.05). Conclusion The major genotypes of HCV were 1b and 2a in Huzhou, but genotype 1b was predominant. Genotypes 1a, 3a and 6a were detected too.