Estudo molecular do vírus da hepatite C isolado de pacientes atendidos em hospital de referência em Fortaleza, Ceará

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus is considered as the main causative agent of non-A non-B hepatitis and has been recognised as the major cause of chronic liver disease worldwide, since its discovery in 1989. It has a positive-sense RNA and belongs to the flavivirus family. The HCV shows considerable sequence variability and its variants can be divided into six main genotypes (numbered from 1 to 6) and several subtypes. The genotypes distribution varies from the geographic area and among risk groups. This study had the main aim to study HCV genotypes distribution in patients from a reference hospital in Fortaleza, Ceara. It was investigated a hundred and twenty patients with anti-HCV positive or clinical history suggesting virus infection. Viral RNA was extracted from patients serum and the virus molecular detection was made by PCR, using specific primers to the 5’ non-coding region of viral genome. Genotyping was based in a RFLP technique, using the restriction enzymes HaeIII, RsaI, MvaI and HinfI. Ninety six patients (80%) were positive in the qualitative test for HCV. The mean age of these patients was 44 years old. Surgery clinical history was the most frequent risk factor, followed by blood transfusion, sexual transmitted disease, drugs use, tattoos, dialysis, and occupacional exposure. The relation between qualitative test result and drug users showed statistical significance, with 96% of drugs users being positive for HCV. There was no significant difference in qualitative test result when we analysed blood transfusions done after or before the year 1993. Clinical symptoms and ALT levels also were not predictive of HCV positive result. Genotype 1 was the most prevalent in the studied population (46,9%), followed by genotype 3 (34,4%) and 2 (8,3%). There was also a molecular characterization of one patient with genotype 4 whereas nine samples were not HCV genotyped and were called as undetermined. The epidemiological characteristics such as age, gender, risk factors, ALT levels and clinical manifestations were related with viral genotypes. The HCV genotypes had a homogeneous distribution, in the majority of cases, among the different categories. A statistical significance was observed only when genotype 1 was related to HCV occupational exposure. Co-infections with more than one viral genotype were not observed.