HCV genotypes, characterization of mutations conferring drug resistance to protease inhibitors, and risk factors among blood donors in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a global health problem estimated to affect almost 200 million people worldwide. The aim of this study is to analyze the subtypes and existence of variants resistant to protease inhibitors and their association with potential HCV risk factors among blood donors in Brazil.

Methods

Repeat anti-HCV reactive blood donors are systematically asked to return for retest, notification, and counseling in which they are interviewed for risk factors for transfusion-transmitted diseases. We analyzed 202 donors who returned for counseling from 2007 to 2010 and presented enzyme immunoassay- and immunoblot-reactive results. The HCV genotypes and resistance mutation analyses were determined by the direct sequencing of the NS5b and NS3 regions,

SUBMITTER: Nishiya AS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3897703 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature