Determination of HCV Genotypes and Viral Loads in Chronic Hepatic Sudanese infected Patients

Background. Knowledge of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes is significant for arranging treatment regimes. Quantitative HCV RNA testing provides prognostic data useful in monitoring the efficacy of antiviral therapy. Methods. A total of 1203 serum samples were collected from individuals attending out-patients units at Khartoum State and Gezera State. The study population comprises two groups. Blood donors study groups (n= 600) and chronic hepatic patients during the course of HCV infection (n= 603). Serum samples were screened using enzyme linked immune-sorbent assay (ELISA) (Biokit, A.S. Spain®).HCV positive samples (n=100) were quantified by HCV Real-TM Quant SC (Sacace Biotechnologies Italy®). Results: Hundred HCV seropositive samples were subjected to genotyping and quantitative analysis of these samples using RT- PCR, HCV genotype 4 was the predominant genotype (92%) followed by genotype 2 (4%), Genotype 1 (2%) and 3 (2%) in different groups. The average viral load of the patients infected with genotype 4 was higher than an average viral load of the patients infected with genotypes 1,2 and 3. Conclusions: The present study highlighted that genotype 4 is the predominant genotype in Sudanese hepatic patients followed by genotype 2. The severity of liver disease was more among genotype 4 patients as assessed by a higher viral load.