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Objective: To evaluate frequency of Hepatitis C virus Genotypes in Hepatitis C patients reported at Civil Hospital Khairpur, Sindh, Pakistan. Methodology: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted on 223 hepatitis C patients who fulfilled the criteria at hepatitis OPD of Civil Hospital Khairpur, Sindh, Pakistan. After taken Patient consent, blood sample were collected for HCV genotyping, which were performed by a qualified pathologist. The collected data statistically analyzed by using SPSS version 22 software. Result: Out of 223 patients, male patients were 167 and females patients were 56, rural patients were 130 where as 93 patients were from urban area, 30 patients were of age from 20-25 years, 41 were of age from 26-30 years, 60 were of 31-35 years, 54 were of 36-40 years, 16 were of 41-45 years, 13 were of 46-50 years, 7 were of 51-55 years, 2 were of 56-60 years, out of total n=11 patients have genotype1, n=4 have genotype2, n=204 have genotype3, n=3 have genotype4, n=1 have genotype5, whereas no any patient have genotype 6. Conclusion: This study concluded that genotype 3 is most dominant among other genotypes in reported patients of hepatitis c virus infection at civil hospital Khairpur.

The World Health Organization and the World Health Assembly recommended eradicating hepatitis as a public threat by 2030. The accurate genotyping of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is crucial to achieving this goal because it is vital for the selection of anti-HCV therapy required for complete cure of HCV infection. We report the development of a method for accurate genotyping of HCV 1a, 1b, 2, 3, 4, and 6 genotypes. The merits of the developed method for HCV genotyping include (i) requirement of a single polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primer set, (ii) room-temperature detection in 30 min after the PCR, (iii) no need of highly trained professionals, (iv) highly accurate HCV genotyping results afforded by highly specific DNA–DNA hybridization, and (v) probe sequences that can be used on other platforms.

Introduction We aim to report on results and challenges of different methods used for hepatitis C (HCV) genotyping in a Cambodian HCV/HIV coinfection project. Methods Samples of 106 patients were available. HCV genotyping was initially (63 samples) done by the LightPower Taqman real-time PCR method (Viet A Corp.) and quality controlled using the Versant 2.0 line probe assay (Siemens Healthcare). Next, following interim quality control results, all 106 samples were (re)genotyped with Versant 2.0, complemented with 5′UTR/core sequencing for uninterpretable/incomplete Versant results. Results Using Versant, 103 (97.2%) of the 106 HCV-coinfected patients had an interpretable genotype result: 1b (50.5%), 6 non-a/non-b (30.1%), 1a (6.8%), 6a or b (4.9%), 2 (3.9%), 1 (2.9%) and 3 (1.0%). For 16 samples that were interpreted as genotype 1 or 1b per Versant's current instructions, it could not be excluded that it concerned a genotype 6 infection as the core region line patterns on the Versant test strip were unavailable, inconclusive or atypical. Upon sequencing, seven of these were genotyped as 1b and nine as genotype 6. Combining Versant and sequencing results, a definitive genotype was assigned in 104 patients: 1b (44.2%), 6 non-a/non-b (39.4%), 1a (6.7%), 6a or b (4.8%), 2 (3.8%) and 3 (1.0%). Genotyping by LightPower and Versant was discordant for 23 (of 63) samples. The LightPower assay misclassified all genotype 6 non-a/non-b samples as genotype 1, which indicates that this assay is only using 5′UTR information. Conclusions HCV genotype 1b and genotype 6 non-a/non-b were most common. With Versant 2.0 (using 5′UTR and core information), genotype classification (1 or 6) remained inconclusive in 15% of samples. The locally available method (LightPower assay) failed to identify genotype 6 non-a/non-b, which highlights that methods using 5′UTR information only should not be used in Cambodia. Regional/national guidelines should be explicit about this. Trial Registration This study was performed as part of a larger cross-sectional study on the burden of hepatitis C coinfection in HIV patients in Cambodia (Clinical.trials.gov: HCV-Epi NCT02361541).

BACKGROUND Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and hepatitis B (HBV) and C virus (HCV) viral load determinations are among the most relevant markers for the follow-up of patients infected with these viruses. External quality control tools are crucial to ensure the accuracy of the results obtained by microbiology laboratories. This article summarised the results obtained from the 2017 SEIMC External Quality Control Programme for HIV-1, HCV, and HBV viral loads and HCV genotyping. METHODS AND RESULTS In the HIV-1 programme, a total of five standards were sent. One standard consisted of seronegative human plasma, while the remaining four contained plasma from three different viremic patients, in the range of 2-5 log10 copies/mL; two of these standards were identical, with the aim of determining repeatability. A significant proportion of the laboratories (35% on average) obtained values outside the accepted range (mean±0.25 log10 copies/mL), depending on the standard and on the method used for quantification. Repeatability was good, with up to 94% of laboratories reporting results within the limits (D

Genotyping of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is crucial for determining the most efficient anti-viral therapy. The clinical sensitivity and specificity of the IntelliPlexTM HCV Genotyping Kit was determined by comparing the assay results of 307 specimens with the results obtained by Sanger sequencing. Out of 202 HCV-positive specimens tested, 8 samples yielded discrepant results between the IntelliPlex HCV Genotyping Kit and Sanger sequencing. For 5 of these discrepant samples, the IntelliPlex HCV Genotyping Kit classified the correct genotype but failed to show the same single or dual infected status as determined by Sanger sequencing. A total of 105 samples which tested negative for HCV by In-Vitro-Diagnostics (IVD)-approved viral load assay tested negative for HCV by the IntelliPlex HCV Genotyping Kit. The IntelliPlex HCV Genotyping Kit has a clinical specificity of 100% and a clinical sensitivity of 96.9% and is suited to be used in clinical laboratories to genotype HCV.

To our knowledge, there are no published data on hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes in Angola. This study aimed at assessing the distribution of HCV genotypes in seropositive hemodialysis patients in Luanda. Among 51 HCV-positive subjects included, viremia was detected in 27 (53%). HCV genotyping was performed by bidirectional sequencing of the 5'-untranslated region by the Sanger method. HCV genotype 4 was largely predominant (20 cases; 74%), followed by genotypes 1b (5 cases; 18.5%), 1a and 2 (one case each; 3.7%). These results suggest that the distribution of HCV genotypes in Angola is similar to that reported from other Central African countries.

According to EASL guidelines and WHO recommendations, the accurate detection of HCV genotypes such as HCV 1a, HCV1b, HCV 2, HCV 3, HCV 4, and HCV 6 (6a, 6f, 6i, 6n) is crucial for the efficient treatment of hepatitis C. HCV Genotyping 9G test allows simultaneous genotyping of HCV 1a, 1b, 2, 3, 4, and 6 (6a, 6f, 6i, and 6n) in clinical samples in 30min. The performance of the test was evaluated by comparison with sequence analysis. Serum samples (n=152) from HCV-infected patients (n=110) and healthy individuals (n=42) were processed under blinded codes. The k coefficient (kappa) values indicated high agreement between the HCV Genotyping 9G test and sequencing. The sensitivity and specificity of the test were 99.1% and 99.7%, respectively. The results indicate that HCV Genotyping 9G test is rapid, reliable, sensitive, and accurate for screening and genotyping of HCV in the clinical specimens.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections caused by different subtypes require different treatments; therefore, rapid and cost-effective genotyping methods for the diagnosis of HCV are greatly needed. In the present study, a new method to diagnose HCV subtypes that depends on a one-step quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) and TaqMan fluorescence probe technique is described. Five pairs of primers and five probes were designed, which were able to detect five genotypes in three reaction tubes. One reaction was used to detect the 1b subtype, one was used to detect the 2a and 6a subtypes, and the other was used to detect the 3a and 3b subtypes. Rigorous performance validation was implemented for five aspects: Precision, sensitivity, accuracy, specificity and anti-interference. The HCV subtype that infected 289 patients was evaluated in the present study via RT-qPCR and verified by sequencing. The results revealed that the 1b subtype accounted for 45% of infections, the 2a subtype accounted for 9% of infections, the 3a subtype accounted for 13% of infections, the 3b subtype accounted for 18% of infections, and the 6a subtype accounted for 15% of infections. The analytical sensitivity for the detection of each of the five HCV subtypes was 1,000 IU/ml. The new method performed well in the performance validation mentioned above, indicating its effectiveness as a HCV genotyping method. RT-qPCR has mitigated some of the former challenges of existing HCV genotyping methods, including the time commitment, expense, and inaccuracy of such methods. The performance validation of this new method showed that RT-qPCR is reliable enough to be widely applied in China for HCV genotyping.

Current HCV genotyping methods may have some limitations in detecting mixed infections. We aimed to determine the accuracy of genotyping and the detection of mixed-genotype infections using the Abbott-RealTime HCV Genotype II assay (Abbott-RT-PCR) in comparison with a Roche-Next Generation Sequencing assay (Roche-NGS). Plasma samples collected from 139 HCV-infected patients tested with Abbott-RT-PCR, 114 with single genotype (GT) and 25 with mixed GTs were genotyped using Roche-NGS. Roche-NGS confirmed all single GTs obtained with Abbott-RT-PCR. One case of Abbott GT 4 was found as GT 1a using Roche-NGS. Genotype 5 was confirmed using Roche-NGS in 75% cases (3 out of 4 cases). Twenty-five patients were identified as having mixed HCVinfections using Abbott-RT-PCR. The concordance between Abbott-RT-PCR and Roche-NGS was 76% (19 out of 25 cases). Three mixed-GT infections identified with the Abbott assay (two (1b + 4); one (1a + 3)) were reported as pure 1b using Roche-NGS. Very divergent results were found for the other three samples. When compared to Roche-NGS, Abbott-RT-PCR has performed excellently for the determination of patients infected with single GTs. For patients that are categorized as having a mixed infection using Abbott-RT-PCR, we recommend an NGS assay as a confirmation test.

Besides seven major hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes (GT), a number of intergenotypic recombinant strains have been described. These so-called chimeras combine genetic characteristics of different HCV genotypes. However, correct genotype classification is important, as choice and duration of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment is mainly based on the viral genotype. Therefore, misclassification of chimeras might lead to suboptimal treatment of patients infected with these strains. For example, 2k/1b chimeras are typically described as HCV genotype 2 strains by commercially available hybridization assays, but real-time PCR-based tests recognizing another HCV region might be more suitable for correct chimera detection. In this study, the analytic capacity of the hybridization-assay Versant HCV Genotype 2.0 (LiPA 2.0) and the real-time PCR-based-assays cobas HCV GT and Abbott RealTime HCV Genotype II were tested in a selected cohort of 230 patients infected with HCV genotype 1 (n = 53) and 2 (n = 177) and 48 patients infected with HCV 2/1 chimeric strains. While the Versant HCV Genotype 2.0 (LiPA 2.0) assay failed to identify chimeras in all of the patients (48/48, 100%), cobas HCV GT and Abbott HCV Genotype II assays identified chimeras correctly in 90% (43/48) and 65% (31/48) of the cases, respectively. In conclusion, while the hybridization-based Versant HCV Genotype 2.0 (LiPA 2.0) assay seems to be unsuitable for detection of HCV 2/1 chimeras, use of the real-time PCR-based assays cobas HCV GT and Abbott RealTime HCV Genotype II led to a higher rate of chimera detection.

Aim: Chronic Hepatitis C is a serious disease than can result in long-term health problems. It is known that different genotypes in HCV infections account for differences in disease courses and treatment responses. Our study aimed to determine the HCV genotype distribution of patients with chronic hepatitis C infection. Material and Method: This study investigated the anti-HCV, HCV RNA viral loads, and HCV genotypes of 203 patients who were followedup in Eskisehir Osmangazi University Medical Faculty from2009-2014. Anti-HCV was tested by microparticle ELISA (Abbott AxSYM System HCV 3.0). HCVRNA viral loads were determined by Artus HCV RG PCR kit (QIAGEN) on a Rotor-Gene 6000 (Corbett Research) instrument between 2009-2011, and by Cobas TaqMan 48 (Roche) between 2011-2014 by Real Time PCR. Genotyping of HCV RNA positive patients was performed by HCV genotype Pyrosequencing test and PCR based assay Abbott Real Time Genotype II (USA). Results: The distribution of HCV genotypes was as follows: In 151 (74.4%) patients genotype 1; in 36 genotype 1b ( 17.7%), in 5 type 1a (2.4%), in 3 genotype 2(1.4%); in 4 genotype 3(1.9%); and in 4 genotype 4(1.9%). HCV viral loads were between 1.25x103-8.35x107. In 191 (94.0%) patients, anti-HCV was positive and in 12 (6.0%), anti-HCV was negative. Discussion: The most common HCV genotype in the Eskisehir region was genotype 1, and the most common subtype in this group was genotype 1b. Treatment protocols should be reevaluated by taking into consideration that sustained viral response in these patients might be weak. In Turkey, approximately 90% of HCV infections are of type 1 (most are type 1b), although types 2, 3, and 4 HCV infections are also seen.

In recent years, the incidence rate of Hepatitis c virus (HCV) infection was showing an increasing trend unceasingly. However, HCV typing was more, and clinical symptoms, clinic treatment effects and sensibility to interferon responses of patients with different genotypings had differences. Therefore, effective detection and distinction of HCV genotyping was one of the basic prerequisites for treatment. The detection effects of PCR amplification sequencing and evolutionary tree analysis, which were regarded as effective detection methods of HCV infection, were still needed to be improved in a larger degree. Therefore, researches on HCVgenotyping detection methods have become the hotspot and focus of scholars at home and abroad. In recent years, the correct diagnostic rate of HCV were increasing continually, at the same time, relevant researches were also increasing accordingly, but the discussion of which was still needed to be improved in a larger degree. Scholars at home and abroad were all performing studies on more simple and sensitive HCV genotyping methods, and if HCV genotypes could be confirmed by accurate and sensitive detection methods before treatment, it would had important significance for clinical treatment. In this study, we have conducted discussion on HCV genotyping detection methods and its clinical significance.

Summary The incidence of mixed genotype hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections in the UK is largely unknown. As the efficacy of direct‐acting antivirals is variable across different genotypes, treatment regimens are tailored to the infecting genotype, which may pose issues for the treatment of underlying genotypes within undiagnosed mixed genotype HCV infections. There is therefore a need to accurately diagnose mixed genotype infections prior to treatment. PCR‐based diagnostic tools were developed to screen for the occurrence of mixed genotype infections caused by the most common UK genotypes, 1a and 3, in a cohort of 506 individuals diagnosed with either of these genotypes. The overall prevalence rate of mixed infection was 3.8%; however, this rate was unevenly distributed, with 6.7% of individuals diagnosed with genotype 3 harbouring genotype 1a strains and only 0.8% of samples from genotype 1a patients harbouring genotype 3 (P

Graphical abstract, Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a globally significant blood-borne agent causing liver diseases, and it has infected over 170 million people worldwide. HCV is a diverse group of RNA viruses currently divided into genotypes 1–7 as well as subtypes. HCV infection can be treated with antiviral drugs, but the HCV genotype has to be determined for optimal selection of treatment strategy. The aim of this study was to set up a sequencing-based HCV genotyping method suitable for the workflow of a diagnostic laboratory. The established method is robust and stable, and it utilizes a one-step reverse transcription and PCR amplification of the 5′ untranslated region (5′UTR) and partial Core region of the HCV genome. Amplification products are sequenced using the standard Sanger method, and the genotype is determined by using a freely accessible web-based genotyping tool. The method was validated at the Helsinki University Hospital Laboratory using 238 previously genotyped serum samples. • A new one-step RT-PCR method for the amplification of the 5′ untranslated region and partial Core region of hepatitis C virus was established. • HCV genotype is determined using Sanger sequencing and a freely accessible, easy-to-use web-based genotyping tool. • The method is robust, reproducible and suitable for diagnostic laboratory workflow, and it requires no costly instrumentation or specialized sequence analysis skills.

Background Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotyping is mandatory for tailoring dose and duration of pegylated interferon-α plus ribavirin treatment and for deciding on triple therapy eligibility. Additionally, subtyping may play a role in helping to select future treatment regimens that include directly-acting antivirals. However, commercial assays for HCV genotyping fail to identify the genotype/subtype in some cases. Objective Our aims were (i) to determine the success rate of the commercial genotyping assay Abbott RealTime HCV Genotype II at identifying the genotype and the HCV-1 subtype; and (ii) to phylogenetically characterise the obtained indeterminate results. Study design HCV genotyping results obtained between 2009 and 2012 in a Spanish reference hospital were reviewed. A total of 896 people were genotyped with the Abbott RealTime HCV Genotype II assay. Specimens with an indeterminate result were retrospectively genotyped using the reference method based on the phylogenetic analysis of HCV NS5B sequences. Results Using the commercially available assay, an indeterminate HCV genotype result was obtained in 20 of 896 patients (2.2%); these corresponded to genotypes 3a, 3k and 4d. Importantly, 8.6% of all cases where genotype 3 was detected were indeterminate. In addition, the HCV-1 subtype was not assigned in 29 of 533 cases (5.4%). Conclusions The implementation in the clinical microbiology laboratory of the reference method for HCV genotyping allows indeterminate genotype/subtype results to be interpreted and may lead to the identification of previously uncharacterised subtypes.

Genomics and Genetics, 10, 1&2, 1-6

In this article, we describe the 6 HCV Genotyping 9G test and its evaluation by using clinical samples and plasmid DNA standards. In tests with 981 plasmid DNA standards, the 6 HCV Genotyping 9G test showed higher than 92.5% sensitivity and 99.4% specificity. The 6 HCV Genotyping 9G test was compared with the VERSANT HCV Genotype 2.0 assay (LiPA 2.0) for detection and discrimination of HCV genotypes in clinical samples. The results of both tests were verified by genomic sequencing. The 6 HCV Genotyping 9G test demonstrated a 100% agreement with the sequencing results, which was higher than LiPA 2.0. These results indicate that the 6 HCV Genotyping 9G test can be a reliable, sensitive, and accurate diagnostic tool for the correct identification of HCV genotypes in clinical specimens. 6 HCV Genotyping 9G test can genotype six HCV types in 1 PCR in 30min after PCR amplification. The 6 HCV Genotyping 9G test, thus provide critical information to physicians and assist them to apply accurate drug regimen for the effective hepatitis C treatment.

The genotype of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) strain infecting a given patient is an important predictive factor for the clinical outcome of chronic liver disease and its response to anti-viral therapeutic agents. We herein sought to develop a new easy, sensitive and accurate HCV genotyping method using annealing genotype-specific capture probes (AGSCP) in an automation-friendly 96-well plate format. The validation of our new AGSCP was performed using the Standard HCV Genotype Panel. We then used both our AGSCP and the commercially available INNO-LiPA assay to analyze the HCV genotypes from 111 Korean patients. Discordant results were analyzed by direct sequencing. AGSCP successfully genotyped the standard panel. The genotypes of 111 patient samples were also obtained successfully by AGSCP and INNO-LiPA. We observed a high concordance rate (93 matched samples, 83.8%) between the two assays. Sequencing analysis of the 18 discordant results revealed that the AGSCP had correctly identified 12 samples, whereas the INNO-LiPA had correctly identified only 6. These results collectively indicate that AGSCP assay is a convenient and sensitive method for large-scale genotyping, and it may be a promising tool for the determination of HCV and other genotypes in clinical settings.

Data on the frequency of HCV naturally occurring drug-resistant variants (RAVs) at baseline in HIV/HCV coinfected patients are scarce. NS3-HCV RAVs were studied by full-population direct sequencing from plasma specimens of 345 DAA-naive patients with HCV chronic hepatitis (159 of them with HIV/HCV-coinfection). NS3 RAVs were identified in 31.5 % of patients, with a significant proportion of HIV/HCV coinfected DAA-naive patients compared to those with HCV monoinfection (38 vs. 25 % p = 0.0104, OR 1.84; 95 % CI 1.162–2.916). HCV resistance genotyping test before treatment may be worth in special populations such as HIV/HCV coinfection to optimize patient treatment.

Resume Depuis l’avenement des tritherapies antiretrovirales puissantes, l’infection par le VHC est devenue la principale cause de recours aux soins mais egalement de mortalite chez les patients coinfectes. Cette evolution implique que soit connu le statut serologique VHC de tous les patients VIH+. Outre la serologie, un dosage de l’ARN et une determination du genotype completent le bilan virologique. Seul l’examen anatomopathologique de la ponction-biopsie hepatique permet actuellement d’evaluer precisement le degre de fibrose et parait un prealable indispensable au traitement (ou a l’abstention). L’evaluation de la gravite de la maladie hepatique fait appel a des dosages biochimiques mais egalement a une etude echographique. Par ailleurs l’analyse rigoureuse des facteurs de co-morbidite doit contribuer a les restreindre (alcool, steatose, « toxiques »). Le temps du traitement succede a plusieurs consultations qui ont permis d’ecarter les principales contre-indications, de stabiliser la prise en charge VIH, et surtout d’informer les patients des objectifs du traitement et des multiples effets secondaires qui emailleront l’annee sous traitement. Le traitement par l’association PEG-interferon + ribavirine doit etre rigoureusement surveille afin d’etre adapte en fonction de la tolerance ; les consultations au moins mensuelles sont l’occasion d’un training regulier des patients, source du succes de ces therapeutiques complexes. Si la guerison virologique peut etre esperee chez 25 a 35 % des patients, les non-repondeurs doivent beneficier d’un suivi regulier. Les traitements d’entretien sont en cours d’evaluation et les nouvelles molecules (antiproteases) en phase d’essais. Les patients cirrhotiques (traites ou non) doivent etre surveilles au moins semestriellement et referes precocement aux equipes chirurgicales en cas de developpement de lesion tumorale ou de decompensation de la maladie hepatique pour evaluation de transplantation.

To determine hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes circulating in the central region of Argentina, 96 consecutive anti-HCV positive subjects were studied. The presence of HCV RNA was detected in 60 samples by RT-nested PCR of the 5' noncoding region (5' NCR). Genotyping was performed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of 5' NCR region combined with PCR using type-specific primers of the core region. The groups of individuals in this study included hemophilia and hemodialysis patients, injecting drug users, screened blood donors, and patients with acute or chronic liver disease, all from Córdoba, Argentina. Overall, genotype 2 was the most prevalent (55.0%), followed by genotypes 1 (38.3 %), and 3 (5.0%). Within genotype 1, subtype 1b was the most prevalent. An unexpected high prevalence of genotype 2 (61.9%) was found among patients with acute or chronic HCV infection (without known risk factors). These figures differ from other cohorts from East-Argentina where genotype 1 has been found as the most prevalent. This indicates that regional differences of genotype distribution might exist between Central and East Argentina.A fin de determinar los genotipos del virus de la hepatitis C (HCV) circulantes en la región central de Argentina, se estudiaron 96 individuos anti-HCV positivos. La presencia del ARN de HCV se detectó en 60 muestras mediante RT-nested PCR de la región 5' no codificante (5' NCR). La genotipificación se realizó mediante restricción enzimática y el análisis del polimorfismo de los fragmentos largos de la región 5' NCR combinada con PCR usando primers tipo específico de la región del core. El grupo de individuos estudiados incluyó pacientes hemofílicos y hemodializados, drogadictos intravenosos, donantes de sangre y pacientes con enfermedad hepática aguda y crónica, todos provenientes de Córdoba, Argentina. El genotipo 2 fue el más prevalente (55.0%), seguido por los genotipos 1 (38.3 %), con mayor prevalencia del subtipo 1b, y el genotipo 3 (55.0%). Una inesperada alta prevalencia de genotipo 2 (61.9%) se encontró entre pacientes con infección aguda o crónica por el virus HCV (sin factor de riesgo conocido). Estos hallazgos difieren de otros resultados encontrados en trabajos realizados con pacientes provenientes de la región este de Argentina, en los cuales el genotipo 1 fue encontrado como el más prevalente. Esto indica que pueden existir diferencias regionales en la distribución de genotipos HCV entre la región centro y este de Argentina.

Resumo Objetivo: analisar o perfil clinico-epidemiologico do portador do virus da hepatite C em tratamento no servico de assistencia especializado no municipio de Anapolis - GO no periodo de 2013 a 2014. Metodos: Este estudo foi do tipo observacional, descritivo e retrospectivo e de base populacional, foi realizado no municipio de Anapolis-GO, no Programa de Hepatites Virais por meio da analise dos prontuarios dos pacientes atendidos pelo Servico de Atendimento Especializado. Resultados: Foram encontrados 63 individuos portadores do virus HCV registrados no servico em tratamento nos anos de 2013 a 2014. Os 63 sujeitos analisados 58,7% eram do genero masculino e 41,3% do genero feminino. Em relacao a idade foi observada a media de 52 anos. A genotipagem do HCV o mais prevalente foi o tipo 1 (23,8%) com o subtipo 1a (28,6%). O tempo de tratamento mais prevalente foi de 24 semanas (20,6%). A terapia tripla foi utilizada em 41,3% dos pacientes, porem 46,0% dos prontuarios nao havia dados referentes ao tipo de terapia. A maioria dos pacientes nao apresentou reacoes adversas (30,1%), todavia, em 46,1% dos prontuarios nao haviam dados referentes as reacoes adversas. Nao houve diferenca significativa na quantidade de pacientes nos anos estudados. No ano de 2013 com 49,2% e 2014 com 50,8% foram assistidos no servico. Conclusao: A qualidade observada nos prontuarios, de modo geral, e deficitaria e requer a qualificacao do pessoal responsavel pelo preenchimento. No futuro novas pesquisas deverao ser realizadas com o intuito de verificar a abrangencia do servico no atendimento dos pacientes com hepatite. Palavras-chave: Hepatite C. Epidemiologia. Terapia tripla. Abstract Objective: To analyze the clinical-epidemiological profile of the hepatitis C virus carrier in the specialized care service in the city of Anapolis / GO from 2013 to 2014. Methods: This study was observational, descriptive and retrospective and based was conducted in the municipality of Anapolis-GO, in the Viral Hepatitis Program through the analysis of the medical records of the patients attended by the Specialized Attention Service. Results: A total of 63 HCV virus individuals were registered in the service under treatment in the years 2013 to 2014. The 63 subjects analyzed were 58.7% male and 41.3% female. The mean age was 52 years. The most prevalent HCV genotyping was type 1 (23.8%) with subtype 1a (28.6%). The most prevalent treatment time was 24 weeks (20.6%). Triple therapy was used in 41.3% of the patients, but 46.0% of the charts had no data regarding the type of therapy. The majority of patients did not present adverse reactions (30.1%), however, 46.1% of the records had no data regarding adverse reactions. There was no significant difference in the number of patients in the studied years. In the year of 2013 with 49.2% and 2014 with 50.8% were assisted in the service. Conclusion: The quality observed in the medical records, in general, is deficient and requires the qualification of the personnel responsible for filling it. In the future, new research should be carried out to verify the coverage of the service in patients with hepatitis. Keyword: Hepatitis C. Epidemiology. Triple therapy.

Dried blood spots (DBS) expedite the collection, storage and shipping of blood samples, thereby facilitating large-scale serologic studies. We evaluated the sensitivity of anti-HCV IgG testing and HCV-RNA quantitation using freshly prepared and stored DBS derived from HCV-infected patients. Protocols for elution were optimized using DBS prepared from plasma of 52 HCV-infected persons and 51 uninfected persons (control DBS), then applied to DBS from 33 chronic hepatitis C patients that had been stored at −20 °C for 5 years (stored DBS). Control and stored DBS, and their corresponding plasma, were processed for anti-HCV IgG testing using the VITROS chemiluminescence assay (CIA) and the HCV 3.0 enzyme immunoassay (EIA) (Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics), and for HCV RNA quantitation by quantitative (q) RT-PCR. HCV genotyping was conducted by nucleotide sequencing. The sensitivity of CIA and EIA in control DBS was 92% and 90%, respectively, compared to 100% and 97%, respectively, in stored DBS. The sensitivity of HCV RNA detection was 88% in control DBS, compared to 36% in stored DBS. Specificity was 100% for all the assays in both control and stored DBS. Genotypes 1, 2 and 3 were detected in 16 (62%), 6 (23.1%), and 4 (15.3%) samples, respectively. Sequences generated from DBS and their corresponding plasma samples were identical. Whereas the sensitivity of anti-HCV IgG detection in stored DBS was equivalent to that in recently prepared DBS, the sensitivity of HCV RNA detection was markedly lower in stored DBS compared to recently prepared DBS. Stored DBS may be reliably used for anti-HCV detection but for HCV-RNA-based testing freshly prepared DBS is preferable to stored DBS.