Agramonte LOM, Rodriguez LLA, Sariego FS, Rivero JRA, Mustelier CGL, Bello CM, Lam DRM, Graña AG

Language: Spanish
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Page: 51-57
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ABSTRACT

Introduction: One of the major causes of hepatocellular carcinoma and chronic liver disease is hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, which shows wide molecular diversity worldwide. Among the most affected risk groups are hemophiliac patients, which have a high consumption of blood components.
Objectives: To determine the frequency of distribution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes in hemophiliacs treated at the Institute of Hematology and Immunology of Cuba, as well as to identify the presence of mixed genotypes.
Methods: We studied 34 patients, who underwent serological diagnosis by means of a third generation immunoenzymatic test (EIA-3) and the determination of viral RNA by means of the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction RT-PCR. For the determination of the genotype the RT-PCR technique was used; restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) and sequencing in the virology laboratory of the Institute of Tropical Medicine.
Results: The 34 patients showed a repeatedly reactive HCV serology, but only 30 (88.2 %) had a positive viral load. Prevalence of genotype 1 in 19 patients (56 %): 13 were 1b (38.2 %); While 6 (18 %) showed mixed genotypes. Only one patient presented genotype 2 (2.9 %). In 14 patients the genotype could not be obtained.
Conclusions: High genetic heterogeneity of HCV is a major obstacle in the treatment of infected patients, so the timely identification of genotype is a diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic possibility that is of great importance in the development of vaccines for antiviral therapy.