Distribution of Hepatitis C Virus Genotypes Among Chronic Infected Injecting Drug Users in Tehran, Iran

authors:

avatar Fahimeh Ranjbar Kermani ORCID 1 , avatar Zohreh Sharifi ORCID 1 , * , avatar Fereshteh Ferdowsian ORCID 1 , avatar Zahrah Paz ORCID 1 , avatar Mahsa Zamanian ORCID 1

Blood Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion Medicine, Tehran, IR Iran, z.sharifi@ibto.ir

how to cite: Ranjbar Kermani F, Sharifi Z, Ferdowsian F, Paz Z, Zamanian M. Distribution of Hepatitis C Virus Genotypes Among Chronic Infected Injecting Drug Users in Tehran, Iran. Jundishapur J Microbiol. 2013;6(3): 265-8. https://doi.org/10.5812/jjm.5191.

Abstract

Background:

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the main cause of infection that has the potential to cause chronic liver disease. Injecting drug users (IDUs) have a key role in HCV transmission in Iran. Knowledge of the distribution of various genotypes is essential for successful future research and control strategies.

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to identify HCV genotypes among chronic infected injecting drug users (IDUs) in Tehran, Iran.

Patients and Methods:

In this cross sectional study, we investigated HCV genotypes among 36 plasma samples from HCV infected IDUs (35 male and 1female, mean age: 33.67, and age range 20-62 years), referred to Research Center of Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization(IBTO) in Tehran from December 2008 to March 2009.HCV Genotyping was performed using type-specific primers.

Results:

Genotypes 3a, 1a and 1b were found in 58.3 %, 25% and 16.7 % patients, respectively.

Conclusions:

Our study demonstrated the high prevalence of genotype 3a among injecting drug users, which is also found in Europe and United states.

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