Author/Authors :
Chlabicz, Slawomir Department of Family Medicine and Community Nursing - Medical University of Bialystok - Bialystok, Poland , Flisiak, Robert Department of Hepatology and Infectious Diseases - Medical University of Bialystok - Bialystok, Poland , W Lapinski, Tadeusz Department of Hepatology and Infectious Diseases - Medical University of Bialystok - Bialystok, Poland , Kowalczuk, Oksana Department of Clinical Molecular Biology - Medical University of Bialystok - Bialystok, Poland , Wiercinska- Drapalo, Alicja Department of Hepatology and Infectious Diseases - Medical University of Bialystok - Bialystok, Poland , Pytel-Krolczuk, Barbara Department of Family Medicine and Community Nursing - Medical University of Bialystok - Bialystok, Poland , Grzeszczuk, Anna Department of Hepatology and Infectious Diseases - Medical University of Bialystok - Bialystok, Poland , Chyczewski, Lech Department of Clinical Molecular Biology - Medical University of Bialystok - Bialystok, Poland , Pancewicz, Joanna Department of Clinical Molecular Biology - Medical University of Bialystok - Bialystok, Poland
Abstract :
Background: Hepatitis C genotype 4 (HCV-4) is considered to be rare outside northern Africa
and southern Europe.
Objectives: To describe the epidemiological characteristics of patients infected with HCV-4 in
Poland.
Patients and Methods: The study group included 290 patients with HCV-related chronic liver
disease and intravenous drug users with HCV infection recruited in years 2002-2006 in Podlaskie
region, north-eastern Poland. In all cases, HCV infection was confirmed by HCV-RNA
detection by qualitative nested RT-PCR. HCV genotype was determined by 5'UTR sequencing
and comparison with known genotype-specific sequences.
Results: HCV 4 was found in 45 (15.5%) of 290 HCV-infected and HCV RNA-positive individuals.
60% of HCV 4 infections occurred in intravenous drug users; 51% of HCV 4-infected patients
were also HIV-positive. Among 119 patients whose source of infection was other than drug
use, there were 16 (10.5%) HCV 4 cases. Seven (46%) of 13 HCV 4-positive and HIV-negative patients
who received combined antiviral treatment had sustained viral response.
Conclusions: HCV 4 exists in eastern Poland, and the infection is frequently related to intravenous
drug use and accompanied by HIV infection. HCV 4 also causes a proportion of nondrug-
related HCV infections.
