Molecular characterization of hepatitis C virus genotype 4 sequences in HIV-coinfected patients from Argentina

The prevalence of hepatitis C virus genotype 4 (HCV‐4) is increasing in different parts of the World but in Latin America the data are still scarce. We aimed to characterize HCV‐4 isolates from 383 HIV‐coinfected patients in Argentina. Sequence analyses were based on the non‐structural 5B region of HCV. Results from 18 patients indicated a genetic heterogeneity that involved three genotype 4 subtypes. Sequences were ascribed to subtype 4d (67%), 4a (22%), and 4m (11%). In spite of different sources of transmission were defined among patients, no statistical association was found with the genotype 4 subtype. The scenario is also compatible with multiple importation of the epidemic and there is no evidence for transmission‐specific clusters or network‐like transmission of HCV‐4. This HCV‐4 does not represent a recent introduction in Argentina, it circulates in all transmission groups and its presence is increasing among HIV‐infected patients. J. Med. Virol. 83:935–940, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.