Distribution of hepatitis C virus genotypes in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection

In this study, the genotype distribution of 815 chronic hepatitis C infection patients who applied to Dicle University Medical Faculty Hospital between 2011 and 2020 was determined retrospectively.. It is aimed to examine the change in genotype distribution and the effects of migration. Genotype determination was made using the sequencing method of the HCV genome obtained after amplification by PCR method. As a result of the study, the most common genotype 1b was determined, it was determined that the rate of genotype 1 decreased and the rate of genotype 4 increased over the years. Genotype 5 was detected in a Syrian patient. It has been determined that the rate of Genotype 3, mostly males, increased in 2019,2020. As a result, the choice of treatment and duration of hepatitis C infection, which is a serious public health problem, is affected by the genotype. The increase in genotype 4 rates over the years in our region and the determination of genotype 5 show that the migration originating from Syria has changed the genotype distribution. In addition, the increase in genotype 3, which is known to be more common in injecting drug users, reveals that there are many factors affecting genotype distribution. Although the cure rates increase with the use of direct-acting antiviral drugs, we think that genotype determination and epidemiological data in the country should be followed regularly because rare mutations can be seen. KEYWORDS, Hepatitis C virus, chronic hepatitis C, Hepatitis C virus genotypes, genotype, Diyarbakır