Distribution of Genotypes of B and C Hepatitis Viruses in Guilan Province

Today, chronic viral hepatitis is considered as a public health problem in the world. Totally, 5% of the world population, especially in Asia and Africa suffer from this problem. The prevalence of acute hepatitis in America is 0.1-0.2 percent, 50% of those with hepatitis C (HCV) and 5-10% of them with hepatitis B (HCV) develop chronic hepatitis. Determining HBV and HCV genotypes is important to clarify the disease and pathogenicity of the virus since genotypes are different in terms of pathogenicity and response to treatment. In this project, the number of 90 patients with hepatitis B and C referred to a private medical diagnostic laboratory in Rasht was included in this study. After obtaining blood samples from patients, genotyping and determining the amount of hepatitis B and C virus were performed. It was found that out of 90 patients, 56 ones (62.2%) had HBV and 34 (37.8%) HCV. In all 56 patients with genotype HBV and in 34 patients with genotype HCV observed genotypes including 1a, 1b, and 3a. The most frequent genotype was 1a which was seen in 18 patients (20%) followed by 3a in 14 patients (15.6%). Only 2 patients (2.2%) had genotype 1b. Knowing the genotype and the viral load of HBV and HCV in each region is important in disease development and treatment. Determining HBV and HCV genotypes is important to clarify the disease progression and pathogenicity of the virus.