Hepatitis C virus genotypes in hemophiliacs with chronic hepatitis C

We investigated the clinical usefulness of the HCV Monitor GenotypeTM test for determining the hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes present in Japanese hemophiliacs with chronic hepatitis C and assessed the relation between genotypes and HCV RNA levels, liver function, and coinfection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Study subjects were 43 male hemophiliacs with HCV infection in whom we compared the HCV Monitor GenotypeTM test with a previously used method. HCV genotypes were 1a (n=13), 1b (n=11), 2a (n=4), 2b (n=1), 3a (n=11), 4 (n=3). There were no discrepancies between two methods in the determination of genotype 2a, 2b, and 3a. However, HCV Monitor GenotypeTM test did not discriminate between genotype 1a and 1b. HCV RNA levels were higher in 1b patients than in 2a patients, but the other clinical variables did not differ significantly between genotypes. Coinfection with HIV did not influence HCV RNA levels. The main HCV genotypes seen in Japanese hemophiliacs were imported genotypes. The HCV Monitor GenotypeTM test is able to determine HCV genotype and viral loads at the same time and will be useful for routine clinical testing. However, detection of genotype 1a, which is found frequently in Japanese hemophiliacs but rarely in non-hemophiliacs, is difficult with this test.