[Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of genotype 4 HCV infection in the north-east Poland].

UNLABELLED

More than 130 million, mostly young people worldwide are infected with HCV. Infection with HCV genotype 4 is very common in North Africa and Middle East, but in United States only about 1% of HCV infections are related to this genotype. The aim was assessment of the incidence of genotype 4 HCV infection in north-eastern Poland, that included also epidemiological and clinical analysis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

673 patients infected with HCV were included into the study. Genotype and HCV viral load was determined using RT-PCR tests (Syngen Biotech, USA). Histologic picture of the liver was evaluated according to Scheuer classification.

RESULTS

Infection with genotype 1 was observed in 452 (67%) patients, genotype 3 in 178 (26%), and 43 (7%) patients were infected with genotype 4. This infection was three times more frequently observed in males than in females, and 40% of cases were demonstrated in persons aged between 18 and 30 years. Moreover 21% infected with HCV genotype 4 were simultaneously infected with HIV. In 30% of infected with genotype 4 tattoos were observed. Sustained virologic response was obtained in 9 among 21 patients infected with genotype 4 (43%), but only in 1 among 8 of re-treated.

CONCLUSIONS

In the north-east Poland, infection with HCV genotype 4 occurs in 7% of patients, mostly young people. Infections with this genotype are often associated with intravenous drugs use.