Genotyping pattern of hepatitis C virus among patients on maintenance haemodialysis at tertiary care hospitals of Pune, Maharashtra, India
Background: Increased incidence of HCV infection is noted universally throughout the world in patients undergoing haemodialysis. Genotyping and gene sequencing of Hepatitis C virus in individuals with positive HCV-RNA helps in determining the optimal type, duration and response to therapy. Aim of the study was to determine gene sequencing which is considered as gold standard for determination of genotypes.Methods: A cross sectional study design was conducted among 250 patients from five dialysis centres in Pune city in a period of one year. Qualitative HCV RNA detection was carried out by nested RT-PCR. Genotyping and sequencing was carried out using the Big-Dye Terminator cycle sequencing ready reaction kit. SPSS 21.0 version software was used to analyze the data.Results: Out of total 250 patients 47(18.8%) were anti HCV antibody positive and 37 (14.8%) were HCV RNA positive. Out of 47 patients who tested positive for anti-HCV antibody 36 showed presence of HCV RNA (76.6% positive correlation). Out of 203 ELISA negative patients only 1 was found to be positive. Out of total 37 patients predominant genotype was found to be 1a (54.1%) followed by 1b (43.2%) and 3a (2.7%).Conclusions: Genotyping and gene sequencing in patients with HCV RNA positivity revealed predominant genotype 1a and 1b. Detailed phylogenetic tree analysis revealed clustering of same genotypes in centre likely suggesting common source of infection prevalent in dialysis units and nosocomial transmission of virus.