Down-regulation of IRES containing 5'UTR of HCV genotype 3a using siRNAs

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of liver diseases. Transmission of HCV, as a blood-borne virus, is a major concern for the safety of blood products. In Iran, intravenous drug abuse is a major risk factor for HCV transmission. Recently a change in the distribution of HCV genotype among Iranian blood donors has been reported, and genotype 3a is reported as the most frequent genotype. Also, genotype 3a is the dominant genotype among IDUs. Objective: To investigate the association between HCV genotype 3a circulating in the community, sequences of HCV genotype 3a were analyzed among different risk groups in Iran. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a partial sequence of the NS5B region of the HCV genome was isolated from 58 blood donors, 48 intravenous drug users (IDUs), and 31 patients with inherited bleeding disorders (IBDs) infected with HCV genotype 3a were included. The published sequence data were obtained from the Gen Bank database and were compared to construct the phylogenetic trees. Results: Of 58 blood donors infected with subtype 3a, 31 (53.5%) reported the risk of intravenous drug abuse. In the phylogenetic tree, no separate cluster was formed to differentiate between HCV sequences in blood donors and IDUs. A cluster at the middle level was found in the phylogenetic tree formed by sequences from blood donors, IDUs, and patients with inherited bleeding disorders. Conclusions: The phylogenetic tree showed the phylogenetic mixing of genotype 3a sequences in BDs, IBD patients, and IDUs. The results confirmed the extensive transmission of IDU-related genotype 3a towards the general population.

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HCV GENOTYPE 3A

The Professional Medical Journal ◽

10.29309/tpmj/2016.23.04.1500 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 23 (04) ◽

pp. 422-427

Author(s):

Shomail Siddiqui ◽

Mozna Talpur ◽

Rashid Ahmed Memon ◽

Palwasha Abbasi ◽

Sadia Tabbusum

Keyword(s):

Chronic Hepatitis ◽

Hepatic Steatosis ◽

University Hospital ◽

Medical Sciences ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Hcv Genotype ◽

Function Test ◽

Liver Biopsies ◽

Chronic Hcv ◽

Genotype 3A

The aim of this study was to see the correlation between hepatic steatosis inchronic HCV infection and HCV genotypes. Study Design: It was a prospective observationalstudy done. Setting: Isra University Hospital and histopathology laboratory. Period: May toNovember 2014. Material & Methods: The study was conducted on 87 liver biopsy specimensof patients infected with chronic HCV. The biopsy samples were collected from department ofPathology, Isra University. H&E stained sections of liver biopsies were evaluated to determineGrade and Stage of chronic hepatitis C and grade of steatosis. Blood samples of those patientswere collected from Isra University hospital and Asian Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS),Hyderabad to determine the HCV genotype, platelet count and liver function test including ALT,AST and GGT. Results: It was found that majority of the patients 38 (43.6%) had genotype 3ainfection followed by 3b, 1a, 1b and Un-typeable genotypes. Hepatic steatosis was divided intocategories according to Brunt’s classification. It was found that 39 (44.8%) patients had grade0 steatosis while 48 out of 87 patients presented with steatosis. It was found that 29 (33%)presented with grade 1 steatosis followed by grade 2 and 3. Steatosis was most frequentlyseen with genotype 3a (26.4%) and presented with mild to moderate grade. Conclusions: Thepresent study concludes that hepatic steatosis is more frequent in genotype 3a and presentswith mild to moderate grade.

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