Relationship between Hepatitis C Virus Genotypes and Sources of Infection in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C

This study examined the relationships between hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes and the routes of HCV transmission in 101 patients with chronic hepatitis C. Patients who received blood transfusions (43%) and those with chronic hepatitis C of unknown cause (37%) had similar mean ages, age distributio...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of infectious diseases 1995-06, Vol.171 (6), p.1607-1610
Main Authors: Pawlotsky, Jean-Michel, Tsakiris, Laurent, Roudot-Thoraval, Françoise, Pellet, Claire, Stuyver, Lieven, Duval, Jean, Dhumeaux, Daniel
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Age distribution
Aged
Base Sequence
Biological and medical sciences
Blood
Blood transfusion
Chronic Disease
Chronic hepatitis
Concise Communications
Disease transmission
DNA Primers - chemistry
Epidemics
Female
Genotype
Genotypes
Hepacivirus
Hepacivirus - genetics
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C - epidemiology
Hepatitis C - microbiology
Hepatitis C - transmission
hepatitis C virus
Human viral diseases
Humans
Infections
Infectious diseases
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Molecular Sequence Data
RNA, Viral - genetics
Viral diseases
Viral hepatitis
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Summary:This study examined the relationships between hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes and the routes of HCV transmission in 101 patients with chronic hepatitis C. Patients who received blood transfusions (43%) and those with chronic hepatitis C of unknown cause (37%) had similar mean ages, age distribution, and HCV genotype distribution (la, 19% vs. 14%; 1b, 52% vs. 54%; 3a, 10% vs, 9%; other, 19% vs. 23%). Intravenous drug users (IVnUs) were significantly younger and had a different genotype distribution (1a, 33%; 1b, 0; 3a, 63%; other, 5%; P < .001). Transmission of HCV 3a has been observed only over the past 20 years; other genotypes were transmitted up to 40 years ago. These results suggest that for 20 years there have been two independent ongoing hepatitis C epidemics. One affects persons who received blood transfusions or whose source of infection is unknown. These persons are older and are mainly infected by HCV 1b. The second type of infection occurs in IVDUs and infects younger persons, mainly with HCV 3a.
ISSN:0022-1899
1537-6613
DOI:10.1093/infdis/171.6.1607