What is it about?
The dynamics of HCV genotypes are changing in Europe. During a five-year (2009-2013) hospital-based surveillance in the area of Parma, Northern Italy, serum/plasma samples from 1,265 HCV RNA-positive subjects were genotyped. Subtypes 1b, 3a, and 1a were predominant (32.6 %, 19.1 %, and 17.8 %, respectively), with a correlation between viral load and gender. Subtypes 1a and 3a were more frequent in adults and males with a significant difference with the over-50 age group and females (P > 0.0001). Subtype 1b, as well as 2a/2c and G2 not-subtypeable (15.7 % and 7.2 %, respectively), were more common in females and in the over-50 age group compared to males (P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001, and P < 0.05, respectively) and the under-50 age group (P < 0.0001). While subtype 1b showed a nearly constant trend, subtype 1a peaked in 2012, when a consistent decrease in G2 was observed. The increasing detection of G4, mainly in adults, and subtypes 1a and 3a suggests their epidemiological relevance in the population.
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Why is it important?
The distribution of subtypes 3a, 1a, and 2a/2c in the area of Parma differs from those described recently in Southern Italy, and, in the past, in Northeastern Italy. These data demonstrate the great variability of the circulation of HCV genotypes even in different areas of the same country. It is likely that dissimilarities in the examined populations, including autochthonous and migrant individuals, and the number of HCV-infected subjects may have contributed to differences in the prevalence of the circulating genotypes. Of note in this study was the circulation of HCV G4 (5.5 %), mainly in 31 to 50 year-old individuals, which has never been reported in Northern Italy to our knowledge, but has commonly been observed in Southern Italy. In addition, the detection of the less represented subtypes 4e and 4f , and the rare subtype 5a, may be due to the enhanced globalization and migration of individuals.
Perspectives
Different HCV genotypes circulate in urban areas of Northern Italy, and subtypes 1b, 3a, and 1a are the most common. The five-year epidemiological patterns of HCV genotypes suggest that the genotype distribution is affected by temporal changes, and less-represented genotypes, such as G4, may emerge in the general population. Higher RNA levels associated with predominant genotypes seem to be gender-related. These findings reinforce the need for structured large molecular epidemiological studies to better understand the dynamics of HCV circulation and, accordingly, develop suitable preventive strategies.
Dr. Flora De Conto
Universita degli Studi di Parma
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Temporal dynamics of hepatitis C genotypes in a five-year hospital-based surveillance in Northern Italy, Archives of Virology, July 2016, Springer Science + Business Media,
DOI: 10.1007/s00705-016-2975-8.
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