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Global genotype distribution of hepatitis C viral infection among people who inject drugs

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Robaeys G, Bielen R, Azar DG, Razavi H, Nevens F. Global genotype distribution of hepatitis C viral infection among people who inject drugs. J Hepatol. 2016 Dec;65(6):1094-1103. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2016.07.042. Epub 2016 Aug 9. PMID: 27520879.



Summary

Hepatitis C viral infection after injection drug use is very prevalent. The most important genotype causing HCV infection in PWID globally is genotype 1, as is the case in the general population, but also genotype 3 is highly prevalent in PWID. Genotype 4 is most prevalent in Africa, spreading into Europe, whereas genotype 2 and 6 are more located in Asia. The most important difference comparing to the general population are generally lower prevalence of genotype 1b, and higher prevalence of genotype 1a and 3 in PWID. As the genotype nowadays still determines the treatment, and as there is a different genotype distribution than in the general population, it is important to identify the genotype also in PWID.

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