Correlation of Viral Loads with HCV Genotypes: Higher Levels of Virus Were Revealed among Blood Donors Infected with 6a Strains

Xia Rong, Ling Lu, Junzhi Wang, Huaping Xiong, Jieting Huang, Jinyan Chen, Ke Huang, Ru Xu, Min Wang, Xuemei Zhang, Tai Guo, Yueyue Liu, Guoquan Gao, Yongshui Fu, Kenrad E. Nelson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Both HCV genotypes and viral loads are predictors of therapeutic outcomes among patients treated with α-interferon plus ribavirin; however, such correlation has only been studied for genotypes 1, 2, and 3 but not for genotype 6. Methodology/Findings: 299 voluntary blood donors were recruited who were HCV viremic. Their mean age was 31.8; the male/female ratio was 3.82 (225/59). The viral loads of HCV were measured using the COBAS AmpliPrep/COBAS TaqMan test (CAP/CTM) while HCV genotypes were determined by direct sequencing the partial NS5B region. HCV genotypes 1, 2, 3, and 6 were determined in 48.9%, 8.7%, 12.3%, and 30.1% of the donors, respectively, and the levels of mean viral loads in genotype 1 and 6 significantly higher than that of 2 and 3 (P<0.001). As a whole, the viral loads in male donors were higher than in female (P = 0.006). Moreover, the donors' gender and HCV genotypes are independently correlated with the measured viral loads. Conclusion: HCV genotype 1 and 6 had significantly higher viral loads than genotype 2 and 3.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbere52467
JournalPloS one
Volume7
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 17 2012
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)
  • Agricultural and Biological Sciences(all)
  • General

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