Genotype Distribution and Molecular Epidemiology of Hepatitis C Virus in Hubei, Central China.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Little is known about the molecular epidemiology of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Central China.

Methodology/principal findings

A total of 570 patients from Hubei Province in central China were enrolled. These patients were tested positive for HCV antibody prior to blood transfusion. Among them, 177 were characterized by partial NS5B and/or Core-E1 sequences and classified into five subtypes: 1b, 83.0% (147/177); 2a, 13.0% (23/177); 3b, 2.3% (4/177); 6a, 1.1% (2/177); 3a, 0.6% (1/177). Analysis of genotype-associated risk factors revealed that paid blood donation and transfusion before 1997 were strongly associated with subtypes 1b and 2a, while some subtype 2a cases were also found in individuals with high risk sexual behaviors; subtypes 3b, 6a, and 3a wer

SUBMITTER: Peng J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4556612 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature