Recent trends in molecular epidemiology of Hepatitis C virus in Mardan, KPK Pakistan

• Published in: Infection, genetics and evolution genetics and evolution, 2018-12, Vol.66, p.66-71
• Main Authors: Wahid, Braira, Waqar, Muhammad, Rasool, Nouman, Rehman, Zobaria, Saeed, Jamaluddin, Wasim, Muhammad, Khan, Muhammad Arif, Ali, Amjad, Rafique, Shazia, Sajjad, Idrees, Muhammad
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Genotypes; HCV; Mardan; Pakistan; qPCR; Risk factors; Viral load
• ISSN: 1567-1348; 1567-7257
• DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2018.09.003

To determine the genotypic distribution of HCV, frequency of risk factors involved in its transmission, and correlation of genotype with viral load in Mardan population which is the second largest city of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan. Blood samples of 1140 were collected from different regions of Mardan and major proportion of recruited patients were internally displaced people (IDPs), refugees, and slum dwellers. Complete patient's history was analyzed to assess the possible risks involved in HCV transmission. Viral genotype was determined by PCR (polymerase chain reaction) whereas, HCV RNA was measured by qRT-PCR. Data was analyzed using SPSS statistical software. Our results indicate 3a as the most abundant subtype in Mardan population followed by 3b, 2a, 2b, 4a, untypeable, mixed, 1a, and 1b. In contrast to previous findings, genotype 1 was the least prevalent genotype and the overall prevalence of HCV in Mardan population was significantly higher in females (n = 687, 60.2%) than males (n = 453, 39.7%). Significant difference between-genotypes and gender was observed in genotype 1 (p