Most Read
Abstract
Objective: This study was performed to determine the distribution of age, gender and hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype in patients followed because of their chronic HCV infection in Gaziantep province and to contribute to the national chronic hepatitis C surveillance efforts.
Methods: Anti-HCV-positive patients who applied to our hospital between 2012 and 2016 were included in this study. Their age, gender, HCV RNA positivity and HCV genotype data were recorded retrospectively.
Results: A total of 160 patients born and living in Gaziantep province with an average age of 56 years were included in the study. 75% of the patients were in >50 years age group and 25% were in 18-50 years age group. 65% of the patients are female. 157 (98%) patients were found to be infected with HCV genotype 1b. Only one patient was infected with HCV genotype 2 and two patients were infected with HCV genotype 3 were identified.
Conclusions: Our findings were compatible with literature data about chronic hepatitis C epidemiology and HCV genotype distribution in Turkey. Only 2 patients were identified as HCV genotype 3 infection in contrary to previous epidemiological data obtained in Kahramanmaraş, a province similar Gaziantep geographically and socioculturally. It was concluded that the evaluations involving Gaziantep province should be expanded to include in multiple centers and multiple patient groups.