Prospective Study
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World J Gastroenterol. May 21, 2014; 20(19): 5897-5902
Published online May 21, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i19.5897
Determining hepatitis C virus genotype distribution among high-risk groups in Iran using real-time PCR
Marzieh Jamalidoust, Mandana Namayandeh, Sadaf Asaei, Nasrin Aliabadi, Mazyar Ziyaeyan
Marzieh Jamalidoust, Mandana Namayandeh, Sadaf Asaei, Nasrin Aliabadi, Mazyar Ziyaeyan, Department of Virology, Alborzi Clinical Microbiology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz 71937-11351, Iran
Marzieh Jamalidoust, Department of Medical Virology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran 14115-331, Iran
Author contributions: Jamalidoust M and Ziyaeyan M designed the study; Jamalidoust M wrote the manuscript; Namayandeh M, Aliabadi N and Ziyaeyan M performed the experiments; Jamalidoust M and Asaei S collected the data and performed the statistical analysis.
Supported by Grant No.91-17 awarded by Clinical Microbiology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Fars, Iran
Correspondence to: Mazyar Ziyaeyan, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Virology, Alborzi Clinical Microbiology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz 71937-11351, Iran. ziyaeyanm@sums.ac.ir
Telephone: +98-711-6474304 Fax: +98-711-6474303
Received: July 23, 2013
Revised: October 2, 2013
Accepted: December 5, 2013
Published online: May 21, 2014
Abstract

AIM: To assess hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype patterns among high-risk Iranian groups, using real-time RT-PCR.

METHODS: In this study, we evaluated the distribution of different HCV genotypes among injection drug users and other high-risk groups over a 4-year period (from 2009 to 2012) using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Sera from 888 HCV-infected patients residing in southern and southwest Iran were genotyped using real-time PCR with common primers and specific probes. These patients were grouped into distinct exposure categories. Illicit drug users constituted the primary group and were further evaluated for HCV genotype distribution and parameters such as age range.

RESULTS: Of the examined HCV-infected patients, 62% were substance abusers, although the route of transmission could not be determined in approximately 30% of these patients. HCV genotyping revealed that Gt1 was the most prevalent genotype among the drug users as well as among patients with thalassemia, hemophilia, solid organ recipients and those on hemodialysis. Mixed infections were only seen in addict groups, where Gt2 genotype was also found. The highest frequencies in HCV-positive addict patients were observed in the 31-40 age group. Our research also showed that the addiction age has increased, whereas the addiction rate has dropped in this region. Most illicit drug users had more than one risk factor such as tattoo and/or a history of imprisonment.

CONCLUSION: This study revealed that the most common HCV-infection route and HCV-genotype in southern and southwest Iran was illicit drug abuse and Gt1, respectively.

Keywords: Hepatitis C virus genotype distribution, Injection drug users, Real-time PCR, Iran

Core tip: The primary treatment method in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, determination of evolution pathways, assessment of epidemiological status, and knowledge of HCV genotype distribution among high-risk groups such as addicts are very important. We assessed the different HCV genotypes among illicit drug users and other high-risk groups during a 4-year period from 2009 to 2012 using real-time PCR. We found that the most affected high-risk groups were illicit drug users and specified the respective age distribution and risk factors. An important finding in this research was the genotype pattern shift from 3 to 1, especially among addicts.