Literature review of the distribution of hepatitis C virus genotypes across Europe

Abstract

Recent advances in hepatitis C virus (HCV) therapies have transformed the treatment landscape for this disease. However, efficacy of current treatments depends on HCV genotype and individual patient characteristics. This review aimed to appraise observational studies reporting epidemiological outcomes to characterize HCV genotype distribution in Europe, in the general HCV population and various subpopulations of interest. MEDLINE and EMBASE entries published between November 2008 and November 2013 were systematically searched. Studies were grouped according to the patient populations of interest: general HCV population, HCV-HIV co-infected patients, patients with advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis, and liver transplant recipients. Thirty publications provided estimates of HCV genotype distribution in four distinct patient groups: general HCV population (n = 21), HCV-HIV co-infected patients (n = 6), liver transplant patients (n = 3), and patients with HCV-compensated cirrhosis (n = 1). Nationwide estimates of genotype distribution in the general HCV population were available for 10 countries, with genotypes 1 and 3 the most commonly reported. Romanian studies were found to have reported genotype 1 infections almost exclusively (98.0-99.8%). Considerable regional variation was reported in some countries (e.g., Italy), but not others (e.g., France). National and multi-national estimates for the HCV-HIV co-infected population suggested a different genotype distribution to that in the general HCV population. No studies reported nationwide genotype distribution in patients with advanced liver disease. Given the clinical importance of genotype in developing optimal HCV eradication strategies, further nationwide European studies are needed to fully characterize genotype distribution in both the general HCV population and in HCV subpopulations. J. Med. Virol. 88:2157-2169, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Evolution of the prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection and hepatitis C virus genotype distribution in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients in Italy between 1997 and 2015

“…Both changes were confirmed by multivariable analysis. HCV genotype 3 infection was largely associated with IDU, which confirms previous observations [27,28], but the association of a lower relative prevalence of genotype 3 during more recent calendar periods was independent from IDU, suggesting a decline of this genotype in all risk groups. Genotype 1a co-infection was more prevalent in the younger population and in MSM.…”

Effect of the baseline Y93H resistance-associated substitution in HCV genotype 3 for direct-acting antiviral treatment: real-life experience from a multicenter study in Sweden and Norway

“…HCV is classified into seven genotypes (GT) and >100 subtypes [6]. The most common GT in Sweden is 1a, followed by GT 3a [7], while in Norway GT 3a is the most common, followed by 1a [8].…”

Distribution of HCV genotypes in Belgium from 2008 to 2015

“…Genotype 1, specifically subtypes 1a and 1b are the most prevalent in Europe and USA. Nevertheless, there is a growing significance of genotype 3 being the second most common genotype reported in all European countries except for Italy and Romania [7]. Substantial regional differences appear to exist in the distribution of HCV genotypes [8, 9].…”