Hepatitis C virus infection: review

Abstract

Extracted from text ... REVIEW The South African Gastroenterology Review - November 2003 4 Hepatitis C virus infection subtypes with sequence homology of 77 - 80 %.5 Certain genotypes predominate in certain geographic areas and genotype 5 is found almost exclusively in South Africa. Genotype predicts responsiveness to antiviral therapy6 and it is more difficult to achieve a sustained viral response in patients with genotype 1 than in those with genotypes 2 and 3. Preliminary data suggest that genotype 5 is also less responsive to anti-viral therapy. Quasispecies are closely related yet heterogenous sequences of the HCV genome within an infected individual. 7 ..