Genetically distinct within-host subpopulations of hepatitis C virus persist after Direct-Acting Antiviral treatment failure.

ABSTRACT: Analysis of viral genetic data has previously revealed distinct within-host population structures in both untreated and interferon-treated chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. While multiple subpopulations persisted during the infection, each subpopulation was observed only intermittently. However, it was unknown whether similar patterns were also present after Direct-Acting Antiviral (DAA) treatment, where viral populations were often assumed to go through narrow bottlenecks. Here we tested for the maintenance of population structure after DAA treatment failure, and whether there were different evolutionary rates along distinct lineages where they were observed. We analysed whole-genome next-generation sequencing data generated from a randomised study using DAAs (the BOSON study).

SUBMITTER: Zhao L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11981120 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature