Seroepidemiological analysis of hepatitisC genotypes among Libyan population and its association with risk factors

Abstract number: P1124

Elasifer H., Elagy B., Eltaghdy M., Daw M.

Introduction: Hepatitis C virus is major public health problem and it is one of the most important causes of chronic liver disease. It has high rate of spontaneous mutation which lead to a marked degree of heterogeneity with a high molecular diversity world wide.

Objectives: To determine (1) epidemiology of HCV genotypes among different Libyan patients, (2) its association with the risk factors involved among the patient studied.

Methods: 479 patients with hepatitis C virus were studied. They were recruited from the Department of Infectious Diseases at Tripoli Medical Centre, from January 2003 to October 2008. The data collected was designed to extract information from patients. The patients were positive for HCV antibody. HCV genotyping was performed. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 11.5 to identify the distribution of different genotypes and its association with gender, age, and risk factors.

Results: 479 patients were studied. Their ages ranged from 16 to 84 years. Genotypes 5 and 6 were not detected in any patient. The prevalence of genotypes were (G1) 32.6%, G2; (15%), G3; (16.7%) and G4; (35.7%), according to subtypes 28% were unclassified G4, 14.6% were G1b and some patients infected with more than one subtype (2.3% G4c/d, 1% G2a/c), according to gender in male G4 the commonest while in female G4 is the commonest the relationship between HCV genotype and gender was significant (P value=0.00). All genotypes were common in patients less than 44 years except genotype 2 (G1 were 71.8%, G2 were 31.9%, G3 were 88.8%, G4 70.2% their age less than 44 years). Genotype1 and genotype 4 were common in patients with history of dental procedures, history of surgery was common in patients with G4 and G1, blood transfusion history was common in patients with G4, IVDA history was common in patients with G1 and G3, according to subtypes G1b was commonest in blood transfusion and surgical procedure. The relationship was insignificant (P = 0.180). The relationship between HCV risk factor for infection and gender was significant 'P = 0.000'.

Conclusion: the epidemiology of HCV among Libyan patients was variable and all genotypes were detected except genotypes 5 and 6, further more specific genotypes were associated with certain risk factors, hence then HCV genotypes could be used to monitor and follow HCV infection in Libya.