Hepatitis C Virus Genotypes and Subtypes in Chronically Infected Patients in Erbil Province, Kurdistan Region, Iraq: Hepatitis C Virus Genotypes and Subtypes in Chronically Infected Patients

Alaa Kameran Bakr; Katan Sabir Ali

doi:10.63841/iue3261106

Authors

Alaa Kameran Bakr Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Health Sciences, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, IRAQ Author https://orcid.org/0009-0009-7598-0895
Katan Sabir Ali Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Health Sciences, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, IRAQ Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63841/iue3261106

Keywords:

Chronic HCV, HCV Genotypes, HCV Subtypes, nested-PCR, seroprevalence of HCV.

Abstract

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a significant global public health issue because it can lead to liver diseases such as cirrhosis and liver cancer. This study aimed to determine the distribution of HCV genotypes and subtypes in Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. A total of 120 patients with chronic hepatitis C infection were enrolled, and blood samples were collected and tested using both serological methods (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISA) and molecular techniques (nested Polymerase Chain Reaction(nested-PCR). Results from serodiagnosis using the EIAgen HCV antibody test showed 85% positive, 8% negative, and 7% equivocal results. Of 102 EIAgen-positive samples, 70 were genotyped and subtyped. The frequency of positive cases was higher in females (89.4%) than in males (82.2%), particularly in the 30–39 and 40–49 years age groups, where they reach 95% and 92.9%, respectively. The most common genotype was genotype 1 (32.86%), followed by genotype 3 (25.72%) genotype 2 (20%). Among subtypes, 1b was the most frequent (24.29%), then followed by 2a (20.00%). Finally, our work underscores the necessity of viral genotyping and subtyping in creating tailored antiviral therapies. The observed profile, which includes a high incidence of genotype 1 and subtype 1b, has significant epidemiological implications for the local HCV infection landscape.

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Author Biographies

Alaa Kameran Bakr, Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Health Sciences, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, IRAQ

Alaa kameran bakr is a MSc student at the department of Medical Microbiology, College of Health Sciences, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Iraq. She got the B.Sc. degree in Medical Microbiology. Her research interests are in Virology and Immunology.
Katan Sabir Ali, Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Health Sciences, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, IRAQ

Katan Sabir Ali is an Assistant Prof. at the department of Medical Microbiology, College of Health Sciences, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Iraq. She got the B.Sc. M.Sc., Ph.D. degree in Medical Virology and Immunology. Her research interests are in Virology and Immunology.

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Hepatitis C Virus Genotypes and Subtypes in Chronically Infected Patients in Erbil Province, Kurdistan Region, Iraq