Distribution of hepatitis C virus genotypes in haemodialysis patients of Guilan, northern Islamic Republic of Iran

The incidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among patients undergoing haemodialysis is high. The aim of this study was to identify the HCV genotypes among chronic haemodialysis patients who were HCV positive in Guilan province, northern Islamic Republic of Iran. All patients on haemodialysis at Guilan haemodialysis centres were enrolled. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and polymerase chain reaction testing were performed. Out of 514 enrolled patients, 11.9% were serologically HCV positive and 6.2% had positive HCV-RNA. HCV genotypes were determined with HCV genotype-specific primers. The most frequent genotypes were 1a (59.4%) and 3a (40.6%). There was no significant relationship between virus genotypes and sex or age. The HCV genotype pattern among haemodialysis patients in Guilan province was different from other countries of the Middle East and was more similar to North American and European countries where genotype 1 is predominant.