Comparison of Hepatitis C Genotypes in Plasma and Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PMBCs) in Hepatitis C-Infected Patients

Abstract Background and Aims: The Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is essentially hepatotropic but virus compartment has also been found in other important extra hepatic sites. Detection of HCV RNA in extra hepatic reservoirs such as peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) is important for determining of disease progression and effective treatment. The present study aimed to determine of different HCV genotypes in plasma and PBMCs specimens from patients of Yazd province of Iran. Materials and Methods: Blood samples of 50 patients with established HCV referred to Shahid Sadoughi Hospital were collected. These patients had positive anti-HCV and positive plasma HCV RNA. After RNA extraction from plasma and a pellet of approximately 3-5× 106 PBMCs, CDNA synthesis was done and stuck in -70°C. Then HCV genotyping by using of restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) method was carried out. Finally, Data analysis was done by SPSS software. Results: The mean age of subjects infected with HCV 38/2±14/6 (ages 21-66) who were the majority of those between ages lower 30 years. 3a and 1a genotype distribution in plasma was significantly higher in those aged over 40 than other age that this difference in genotype distribution at the age of 40 is significant (P value> 0.04) but in PBMCs was not significant (p=0.25). 1a and 3a genotype distribution in plasma and PBMCs in between 40-30 ages showed a lower frequency than other ages. In none of the samples from patients with genotype 2 and 1b genotypes but only 3a and 1a such as mixed infections was detected. Typically, mixing virus infection in 8 patients (16%) in plasma and in 16 samples (32%) was identified in PBMCs. Conclusions: It suggested that plasma subtyping as the target genotype for considering of antiviral therapy is essential, but may be result to the goal of therapy. HCV genotyping in PBMCs samples along with plasma specimen might be beneficial. Therefore, determine of HCV genotype in PBMCs in before therapy because detection of occult infection is useful