Avtor/Urednik		Jakupi, Xhevat; Mlakar, Jana; Lunar, Maja M.; Rudhani, Ibrahim; Raka, Lul; Tavakoli, Norma P.; Poljak, Mario
Naslov		Phylogenetic analysis confirms hepatitis C virus transmission among hemodialysis patients in Kosovo
Tip		članek
Vol. in št.		Letnik 13, št. 12
Leto izdaje		2019
Obseg		str. 1142 - 1149
ISSN		2036-6590 - Journal of infection in developing countries
Jezik		eng
Abstrakt		Introduction: It has recently been demonstrated that there i s a very high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among hemodialysis patients in Kosovo with HCV subtype 1 being the most prevalent subtype. In this study, we further detail the molecular epidem iology of HCV outbreaks occurring in seven dialysi s centers in Kosovo. Methodology: In total, 273 samples obtained from HCV RNA positive patients undergoing hemodialysis at one of the seven center s in Kosovo were selected for this study: 171 subtype 1a samples, 91 subtype 4d samples, and 11 subtype 1b sa mples. A partial HCV NS5B region was amplified and sequenced. Subtype - specific phylogenetic analyses were performed with the inclusion of control sequences and transmission clusters were identified. Results: NS5B sequences were successfully obtained in 257 /273 (94.1%) of samples; 162 subtype 1a, 84 subtype 4d, and 11 subtype 1b sequences. Phylogenetic analyses showed a high degree of phylogenetic clustering of HCV sequences subtyped 1a (99.4%), 1b (63 .6%), and 4d (76.2%). Distinct phylogenetic clusters of s equences obtained from hemodialysis patients were observed for all three subtypes studied. In addition, several smaller clusters within the large clusters were identified, mainly from a single dialysis center. Conclusions: Phylogenetic analyses confirmed nosocomial transmission during dialysis as a major factor in the spread of HCV at the seven dialysis centers in Kosovo.
Proste vsebinske oznake		HCV phylogenetic analysis dialysis HCV filogenetska analiza dializa