ABSTRACT

       Background and Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate epidemiology of risk factors for hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission, and determine the association of its genotypes with viral load and response to treatment in patients referred to the Infectious Disease Clinic of Khorramabad.

        Methods: The study included patients infected with hepatitis C referred to the Infectious Disease Clinic of Khorramabad during 2011-14. Those who met the inclusion criteria were referred to counseling centers for risky behaviors. After collecting demographic and epidemiologic data on the modes of transmission, blood samples were collected for more accurate testing. The erum of patients with hepatitis C was evaluated in terms of HCV genotype and viral load using PCR.

        Results: Among 120 patients studied, 102 (85%) were male and 18 (15%) were female. The most prevalent genotypes were 3a (63.8%), 1a (25%), 1a/1b (5.2%) and 2 (1.7%). Intravenous drug abuse was the main route of transmission of hepatitis C in the study.  The genotypes 3a and 1a had a clear correlation with intravenous drug abuse and history of blood transfusion (P<0.05). It was also found that the patients with genotype 3a show a better initial response to treatment with interferon.

       Conclusion: The study shows that intravenous drug abuse is the main route of transmission, which highlights the need for intervention and education in this group of patients to prevent disease transmission.

         Keywords: Hepatitis C, Genotype, Intravenous Drug Abuse, HIV, Interferon.