| Author/Editor | Vrhovac, Maja | |
| Title | Razporeditev genotipov virusa hepatitisa C v Sloveniji | |
| Type | monografija | |
| Place | Ljubljana | |
| Publisher | Medicinska fakulteta | |
| Publication year | 2003 | |
| Volume | str. 65 | |
| Language | slo | |
| Abstract | The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the major causative agent of parenterally transmitted non-A, non-B hepatitis. It has been shown in many studies that clinical outcome and response to antiviral treatment are strongly related to HCV genotype. HCV genotype determination is also important in epidemiological studies and for the accurate following of transmission of HCV infections. The aim of this study was to determine the HCV genotype distribution in Slovenia. We intended to show a correlation between infection with particular HCV genotype/subtype and the mode of transmission. Our aim was also to establish genotype distribution in different age groups, and to show changes in HCV genotype/subtype distribution over time (from 1993 till 2002). With this study we would like to complete the information regarding molecular epidemiology of HCV infection in Slovenia. HCV infection was verified in 1,699 persons at the Institute for Microbiology and Immunology at the Medical Faculty in Ljubljana in period from 1.1.1993. till 1.12.2002. The median age of individuals with HCV infection in Slovenia was 36.1 years. Genotypes were determined in 778 persons by the method of reverse dot-blot with a standardised test for HCV genotyping INNO-LIPA HCV II (Innogenetics, Ghent, Belgium). We have found that infection with subtype 1 b was the most frequent (34.2%), followed by genotype 3 infection (31.8%), subtype 1a (23.1%), genotype 2 (6.3%), subtype 1 a/1 b (2.7%), and genotype 4 infection (1.5%). A mixed infection was reported in 0.4% of cases. The results of our study pointed to a relationship between HCV genotypes and modes of transmission of HCV. (Abstract truncated at 2000 characters). | |
| Descriptors | HEPATITIS C HEPATITIS C-LIKE VIRUSES GENOTYPE HEMOPHILIA VIRULENCE AGE FACTORS SLOVENIA SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES HEMODIALYSIS HEALTH MANPOWER SEX FACTORS RNA, VIRAL POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION RISK FACTORS SUBSTANCE ABUSE, INTRAVENOUS BLOOD TRANSFUSION ORGAN TRANSPLANTATION TISSUE TRANSPLANTATION |