Prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus Genotypes with Correlation of Viral Load and Liver Functions in Diwaniya City, Iraq

Ali  S. Jabbar; Noor  A. Salal; Baraa  A. Mohammed

doi:10.17605/cajmns.v6i2.2721

Ali S. Jabbar College of pharmacy, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Iraq
Noor A. Salal College of pharmacy, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Iraq
Baraa A. Mohammed College of pharmacy, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Iraq

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17605/cajmns.v6i2.2721

Keywords: hepatitis C virus, genotyping, viral load, liver functions

Abstract

Aim of the study: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) exhibits significant genetic diversity, influencing disease progression and treatment outcomes. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of HCV genotypes and their association with viral load and liver function in patients from Diwaniya City, Iraq. Methods: A total of 96 HCV-positive patients were recruited from private clinics in Diwaniya City. Blood samples were collected for viral load and genotyping quantification using real-time PCR. Liver function tests, including alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and bilirubin levels were assessed using an automated system. Results: Genotype 1a was the most prevalent (64.6%), followed by 1b (25%) and 4a (10.4%). A higher viral load was observed in males, although this difference was not statistically significant. A significant variation in viral load was found among different genotypes. Correlation analysis revealed a non-significant positive association between viral load and Liver function tests. Conclusion: Genotype 1a is the predominant HCV genotype in Diwaniya City. While viral load may influence liver function, further investigation is warranted to confirm this observation. These findings contribute to a better understanding of HCV epidemiology and clinical management in the region

References

World Health Organization, Global hepatitis report 2024: action for access in low-and middle-income countries, World Health Organization, 2024.

M. P. Manns, et al., "Hepatitis C virus infection," Nature Reviews Disease Primers, 2017.

M. Keikha, et al., "HCV genotypes and their determinative role in hepatitis C treatment," VirusDis., 2020.

R. O'Kane and E. Hathorn, "Hepatitis C virus infection," Frontline Gastroenterology, vol. 14, pp. 415–421, 2023, doi: 10.1136/flgastro-2022-102373.

D. B. Smith, J. Bukh, C. Kuiken, A. S. Muerhoff, C. M. Rice, J. T. Stapleton, et al., "Expanded classification of hepatitis C virus into 7 genotypes and 67 subtypes: updated criteria and genotype assignment web resource," Hepatology, vol. 59, pp. 318–327, 2014, doi: 10.1002/hep.26744.

V. Mehta, et al., "Impact of Direct Acting Antiviral Therapy for Treatment of Hepatitis C Genotypes 1, 3 and 4: A Real Life Experience from India," J Clin Exp Hepatol., vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 7-14, 2018, doi: 10.1016/j.jceh.2017.06.003.

H. Coelho and C. Villela-Nogueira, "Predictors of response to chronic hepatitis C treatment," Annals of Hepatology, 2020.

H. Bell, "Genotype, viral load and age as independent predictors of treatment outcome of interferon-alpha 2a treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis C," Scand. J Infect. Dis., vol. 29, pp. 17–22, 1997.

B. Ijaz, W. Ahmad, F. T. Javed, S. Gull, M. T. Sarwar, H. Kausar, et al., "Association of laboratory parameters with viral factors in patients with hepatitis C," Virology Journal, vol. 8, pp. 1-9, 2011.

P. Cool, Medical Statistics, Institute of Orthopaedics, 2007.

A. W. Alshaikhly, Z. A. Musa, B. J. Qasim, H. F. Ghazi, and W. J. Mohammed, "The distribution of hepatitis C virus genotypes, viral load and antibody titer among Iraqi chronic hepatitis patients," Medico Legal Update, vol. 20, pp. 1136-1142, 2020.

A. M. Abdullah, A. R. Hardan, and I. I. Latif, "Genotyping of hepatitis C virus isolates from Iraqi hemodialysis patients by reverse transcription-PCR and one step nested RT-PCR," Diyala Journal of Medicine, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 9-18, 2012.

A. A. Bakir, S. M. Othman, L. Q. Rahman, and Y. A. Asaad, "Prevalence of HCV Genotypes in Correlation with Viral Load in Northern Region of Iraq," Bahrain Medical Bulletin, vol. 45, no. 1, 2023.

D. A. Hassan, S. Q. Maulud, R. H. Saeed, and B. F. Nore, "Seroprevalence and Genotypic Distribution Patterns of Hepatitis C Virus among Infected Patients from Erbil Province: Kurdistan/Iraq," Diyala Journal of Medicine, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 84-94, 2018.

A. A. Othman, A. A. Eissa, R. D. Markous, B. D. Ahmed, and N. A. Al-Allawi, "Hepatitis C virus genotypes among multiply transfused hemoglobinopathy patients from Northern Iraq," Asian Journal of Transfusion Science, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 32-34, 2014.

R. Y. Athamneh, R. Abudalo, M. Sallam, A. Alqudah, H. Alquran, K. F. Amawi, and H. A. Abu-Harirah, "Sub-genotypes of hepatitis C virus in the Middle East and North Africa: Patterns of distribution and temporal changes," Infection, Genetics and Evolution, vol. 109, 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.meegid.2023.105412.

J. P. Messina, I. Humphreys, A. Flaxman, A. Brown, G. S. Cooke, O. G. Pybus, and E. Barnes, "Global distribution and prevalence of hepatitis C virus genotypes," Hepatology, vol. 61, no. 1, pp. 77-87, 2015.

E. Umumararungu, F. Ntaganda, J. Kagira, and N. Maina, "Prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection and its risk factors among patients attending Rwanda Military Hospital, Rwanda," BioMed Research International, vol. 2017, no. 1, 2017.

A. Chakravarti, G. Dogra, V. Verma, and A. P. Srivastava, "Distribution pattern of HCV genotypes & its association with viral load," Indian Journal of Medical Research, vol. 133, no. 3, pp. 326-331, 2011.

W. A. A. Dosogi, H. H. Abdelwahab, M. A. H. Elsheikh, and A. E. M. Mustafa, "Evaluation of Chronic Kidney Disease-Mineral and Bone Disorder (CKDMBD) Among Patients on twice weekly Hemodialysis in Khartoum Teaching Hospital, Sudan," Bahrain Medical Bulletin, vol. 44, no. 2, 2022.

L. E. Adinolfi, R. Utili, A. Andreana, M. F. Tripodi, M. Marracino, M. Gambardella, and G. Ruggiero, "Serum HCV RNA levels correlate with histological liver damage and concur with steatosis in progression of chronic hepatitis C," Digestive Diseases and Sciences, vol. 46, no. 8, pp. 1677-1683, 2001.

N. Kato, O. Yokosuka, K. Hosoda, Y. Ito, M. Ohto, and M. Omata, "Quantification of hepatitis C virus by competitive reverse transcription—polymerase chain reaction: Increase of the virus in advanced liver disease," Hepatology, vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 16-20, 1993.

H. R. Ahmed, R. A. Ibrahem, R. M. Abd El-Baky, H. F. Hetta, A. M. Elsayed, and N. G. Waly, "Association of Hepatitis C viral load with liver functions and risk factors among HCV patients, Minia governorate, Egypt," Novel Research in Microbiology Journal, vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 1118-1131, 2021.

A. Mushtaq, M. A. Tariq, U. Rashid, A. Afroz, N. Zeeshan, A. R. Asif, and M. Zahur, "Estimation of HCV viral load and liver enzymes among different patients groups of District Gujrat, Pakistan," Advances in Bioscience and Biotechnology, vol. 4, no. 9, pp. 866-871, 2013.