Determination of the Hepatitis C Virus Genotypes With Pyrosequencing Method

Purpose: Determination of HCV genotypes in terms of management and treatment of chronichepatitis C patients provides important information. In HCV genotype 1b, both lower rate ofresponse to interferon treatment occurs and there is more risk for development of hepatocellularcarcinoma. The purpose of this study was to investigate the distribution of HCV genotypesamong patients from different clinics with the pre-diagnosis of chronic hepatitis C and positivefor HCV RNA in blood samples. Material and Methods: Blood samples of 146 patients were included in this study. Ninety- eight patients were females (67.1%) and 48 males (32.9%). HCV genotype analyses of the samples were investigated by pyrosequencing method (Qiagen, Germany). Results: Genotype 1, genotype 4 and genotype 2 were detected in 90 (61.7 %) of patients, 52 (35.6 %) of patients and 4 (2.7 %) of the patients respectively. In genotype 1 group, genotype 1b was detected in 77 of 90 samples and genotype 1a was detected in 5 of 90 samples 1, however subgenotyping failed in 8 patients. Conclusion: As a result, HCV genotype 1b is the most common genotype in patients with chronic hepatitis C.