TY - JOUR ID - TI - Detection of HCV genotype 1a (HCV-1a) among patients from Al-Nasiriya city and determining its transmission risk factors AU - Muna R. Ahmed AU - Warqaa Y. Salih PY - 2021 VL - 34 IS - 1 SP - 37 EP - 41 JO - IRAQI JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY MEDICINE المجلة العراقية لطب المجتمع SN - 16845382 AB - Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes have been shown to be differently distributed between distinct geographical areas. Information's regarding hepatitis C genotypes and subtypes distribution in Al-Nasiriya city are not well known. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine the frequency of various HCV genotypes in Al-Nasiriya city and the demographic and the risk factors associated with HCV transmission among Al-Nasiriya city population.Methods: Blood samples were collected from 200 patients with chronic HCV infection who were referred from Al-Nasiriya city to the digestive disease department of Al-Yarmouk Hospital during the period from February 2019 to December 2020. Patients were screened for HCV antibodies using an enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assay test. Quantitation of the HCV viral load and genotype were assessed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR).Results: This study revealed that the most common HCV genotype was 1a (HCV-1a) with rate of 63% while (HCV-1d) showed 1.5% and (HCV-4) was 35.5% . Also the frequency of infection among females was more than males as (37.5% and 25.5%) respectively, while hemodialysis process among other transmission risk factors, increase transmission of HCV-1a infection. Conclusions: HCV-1a is the most predominance genotype in these patients, with more prevalent in female than male over 20 years old and hemodialysis is the most risk factor in their

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