Study of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Genotypes in Al-Muthanna Governorate, Iraq Hassan Salam Allawi1,*, Abbood Wisam Salih1 1College of Medicine, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Iraq *Corresponding Author: Salam Allawi Hassan, College of Medicine, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Iraq, Email: salam.allawi.hassan@gmail.com
Online published on 23 December, 2019. Abstract The current study aimed to determinate the genotypic prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) at Al-Muthanna province-Iraq. Then determine which genotype is predominant. The prevalence of HCV genotypes in this province was unknown. The genotypic study is important for the selection of the best antiviral drugs of the disease. This study was conducted in the health institutes of Al-Muthanna Governorate for the period from October 2018 to April 2019. The study included collection (5 ml) of the blood sample for the total number of persons (2842) from (thalassemia patients, blood donors and renal dialysis patients). Then, they were examined by the initial test using ELISA technique, where it was found that 81(2.85%) people were positive for this test. Then, the PCR technique (RT-PCR) was carried out for serum samples which were positive for ELISA test. Results showed that 60(74.07%) of the 81(2.85%) samples were positive in the PCR test. DNA sequencing technique was used to determine which genotype is prevalent in Al-Muthanna Governorate, 30 samples were tested from 60 samples of positive samples in PCR. The results showed that three genotypes of HCV were detected in patients, genotype 1a 16(53.33%), genotype 2a 9(30%) and genotype 2b 5(16.66%) with significant differences (p<0.05). Genotype 1a was the predominant. Top Keywords Hepatitis C Virus, Genotypes. Top |