Clin Mol Hepatol.
2013 Mar;19(1):45-50. 10.3350/cmh.2013.19.1.45.
Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of Korean patients with hepatitis C virus genotype 6
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea. jsh@snubh.org
- 2Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Bucheon, Korea.
- 3Department of Internal Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea Seoul Saint Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- 4Department of Internal Medicine, Inje University Busan Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
- 5Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- 6Division of Enteric and Hepatitis Viruses, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Osong, Korea.
- KMID: 1493574
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.3350/cmh.2013.19.1.45
Abstract
- BACKGROUND/AIMS
The distribution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes varies geographically. In Korea, genotypes 1 and 2 comprise more than 90% of HCV infections, while genotype 6 is very rare. This study compared the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients with genotype 6 HCV infection with those infected with HCV genotypes 1 and 2.
METHODS
This was a prospective, multicenter HCV cohort study that enrolled 1,173 adult patients, of which 930 underwent HCV genotype analysis, and only 9 (1.0%) were found to be infected with genotype 6 HCV. The clinical and epidemiological parameters of the genotypes were compared.
RESULTS
The patients with genotype 6 HCV had a mean age of 41.5 years, 77.8% were male, and they had no distinct laboratory features. A sustained virologic response (SVR) was observed in four (67%) of six patients who received antiviral therapy. Risk factors such as the presence of a tattoo (n=6, 66.7%), more than three sexual partners (n=3, 33.3%), and injection drug use (n=3, 33.3%) were more common among genotype 6 patients than among genotypes 1 or 2.
CONCLUSIONS
The epidemiology and treatment response of patients infected with genotype 6 HCV differed significantly from those with genotypes 1 or 2, warranting continuous monitoring.
Keyword
MeSH Terms
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Adult
Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use
Asian Continental Ancestry Group
Cohort Studies
Female
Genotype
Hepacivirus/*genetics
Hepatitis C, Chronic/*diagnosis/drug therapy/epidemiology
Humans
Liver/pathology
Male
Middle Aged
Prospective Studies
RNA, Viral/blood
Republic of Korea
Risk Factors
Sexual Behavior
Substance-Related Disorders/complications
Tattooing
Antiviral Agents
RNA, Viral
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