Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of Korean patients with hepatitis C virus genotype 6

Abstract

Background/AimsThe distribution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes varies geographically. In Korea, genotypes 1 and 2 comprise more than 90% of HCV infections, while genotype 6 is very rare. This study compared the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients with genotype 6 HCV infection with those infected with HCV genotypes 1 and 2.MethodsThis was a prospective, multicenter HCV cohort study that enrolled 1,173 adult patients, of which 930 underwent HCV genotype analysis, and only 9 (1.0%) were found to be infected with genotype 6 HCV. The clinical and epidemiological parameters of the genotypes were compared.ResultsThe patients with genotype 6 HCV had a mean age of 41.5 years, 77.8% were male, and they had no distinct laboratory features. A sustained virologic response (SVR) was observed in four (67%) of six patients who received antiviral therapy. Risk factors such as the presence of a tattoo (n=6, 66.7%), more than three sexual partners (n=3, 33.3%), and injection drug use (n=3, 33.3%) were more common among genotype 6 patients than among genotypes 1 or 2.ConclusionsThe epidemiology and treatment response of patients infected with genotype 6 HCV differed significantly from those with genotypes 1 or 2, warranting continuous monitoring.

Meta-Analysis: Superior Treatment Response in Asian Patients with Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 6 versus Genotype 1 with Pegylated Interferon and Ribavirin

“…Eight studies were identified as redundant and excluded: duplicates found during our search or earlier abstracts of full articles that were later published [15,19,30–33,42,43]. Six studies included less than ten HCV-6 patients [34–36,44–46]. Four studies did not include patients treated with PEG IFN+RBV [37–40].…”

Analysis of Hepatitis C Virus Genotypes and RNA Quantitative Values in Cheonan, Republic of Korea from 2007 to 2016

“…Additionally, between 2013 and 2015, HCV genotype 2a showed a marked increase in Cheonan area. Furthermore, genotype 1b showed an increase, particularly in 2010, compared with the findings of other studies in Korea [2,13,14]. Thus, it was concluded that these genotypes were endemic during these years.…”

“…Furthermore, HCV infection was identified in 10% of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Korea in 2010s [9], with HCV genotype 1b associated with a higher risk of HCC than genotypes 2a, 2c, or other genotypes worldwide [10−12]. In Korea, the most frequently detected genotypes are genotypes 1b and 2a; however, the related studies are limited [2,13,14].…”

Systematic review: epidemiology and response to direct‐acting antiviral therapy in genotype 6 chronic hepatitis C virus infection

“…In Hong Kong, HCV GT6 was pre‐dominantly encountered in PWIDs (range 58.5%‐62.5%) and in 50% of those with thalassemia major . Similarly, GT6 infection appeared to be increasingly common among in PWID in Myanmar, Southern China (41%), Taiwan (27%‐28%) and Korea as compared to non‐PWID HCV‐infected population . Apart from Southeast and East Asia, HCV GT6 infections have also been reported in other parts of the world, mainly among immigrants from Asia.…”