Genotype variation of hepatitis C virus in District Buner Swat.

OBJECTIVE To determine the frequency of various genotypes of Hepatitis C virus in District Buner, Swat. METHODS This Descriptive case series study was conducted at District Headquarter Hospital Daggar, and Bilal Medical Trust, Pir Baba, Swat, Pakistan from January 2007 to June 2008. A total of 400 patients, 154 Male and 246 Female aged 16-65 years (Mean age 31 +/- 13 years) without clinical and ultrasonographic evidence of cirrhosis, and with positive Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) antibodies by ELIZA, and HCV RNA detected by PCR were included. Hepatitis C virus genotypes were checked in serum by real time PCR (RT-PCR). RESULTS Genotype 3 was the most common type accounting for 61.5% of the study population. Amongst the subtypes, 182 (45.5%) had genotype 3a and 64 (16%) had genotype 3b. Thirty-five (8.7%) patients had genotype 1a, 12 (3%) had genotype 1b. Twenty-six (6.5%) patients had genotype 2a. Four (1%) patients had genotype 2b. Three (0.75%) patients had genotype 4a, and 1 (0.25%) had genotype 6a. Sixty-four (16%) patients had mixed infections. Forty (10%) patients had genotype 3a and 3b, 12 (3%) patients had genotype 1a, 1b, and 9 (2.25%) patients had genotype 2a and 1c, 2 (0.5%) had genotypela, 3a and 1 patient (0.25%) had genotype 1a, 3b. Nine (2.25%) patients had untypable genotype. CONCLUSION Genotype 3 with its subtypes 3a and 3b is the commonest Hepatitis C virus present in District Buner, Swat. The others in order of decreasing frequency are genotype 1a, 2a and mixed types.