Distribution of hepatitis C virus genotypes among injecting drug users in contact with treatment centers in Belgium, 2004–2005

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the current prevalence of HCV genotypes in injecting drug users recruited at treatment centers all over Belgium, and to analyze if the distribution of genotypes was correlated with demographic characteristics, at-risk behaviors, and co-infection with other viruses. Therefore 147 anti-HCV-positive serum samples were selected for subsequent HCV RNA detection and genotyping. HCV RNA could be detected in 98 (67%) of the 147 serum samples. Genotype 1 (38%) and 3 (49%) were the most common genotypes followed by genotype 4 (9%) and genotype 2 (2%). One mixed infection (1%) was detected. The subtype could be determined in 80 cases: genotype 3a was the most prevalent (49%), followed by genotype 1a (16%) and genotype 1b (15%). No significant difference was found between the distribution of genotypes and the location of treatment centers, at-risk behaviors and co-infection with other viruses. Nevertheless, a slight variation over time could be identified (P = 0.06): one in two genotype 3 drug users started with their injecting drug use in the last 10 years (33% in the period 1995-1999 and 21% in the period > or =2000) compared to only one in four genotype 1 drug users (20% in the period 1995-1999 and 9% in the period > or =2000).

Prevalence and associated clinical characteristics of hepatitis B, C, and HIV infections among injecting drug users in Korea

“…This result corresponds well with that of a previous study of Korean injecting drug users [Yun et al, 2008] as well as in patients with HCV-related chronic liver disease in Korea [Suh and Jeong, 2006]. In other countries, genotype 1a [Beld et al, 1998;Muasya et al, 2008;Novais et al, 2009] or 3a [Kalinina et al, 2001;Micalessi et al, 2008;Sereno et al, 2009;Demetriou et al, 2010;Mehta et al, 2010;Ciccozzi et al, 2011] were reported as the most common genotype among injecting drug users. With regard to the treatment outcome, genotype 1 is generally associated with lower rates of the complete eradication with interferon a therapy [Scott and Gretch, 2007].…”

Changes in the prevalence of hepatitis C virus genotype among Italian injection drug users—Relation to period of injection started

“…Analogous trends have been described in Poland, in France, in Belgium and in Germany. 5,30,32,34,[37][38][39] Our results demonstrate, for the first time in Italian IVDUs, the relative changes in the epidemiology of HCV-genotypes over time. These appear differ from results obtained in the majority of European studies.…”

“…These differences may relate to the different populations studied and the limited ability of the line probe assay, used in these studies, to identify mixed genotype infections. 15,[30][31][32] Recent studies from Western Europe showed a change in the relative prevalence of genotypes, with decreasing frequency of genotype 1b and an increasing frequency of genotype 3, 1a or 4 over time. 4,5,[16][17][18][33][34][35][36] Savvas et al showed that Greek IVDUs infected after 1981 had a dramatic increase in the relative frequency of genotype 3 when compared with those infected before 1981, and that there was a parallel decrease in the relative frequency of genotype 1 in the same period.…”

Assessing the Hepatitis C Genotype in Prisoners Infected with HCV in South Khorasan- 2014

“…The distribution of the subtypes has been fully explained in North and South America as well as European countries. The predominant HCV subtype among IDUs in Europe is 3a, whereas 1b is common in patients who have acquired the virus through blood transfusion (34,(36)(37)(38).…”