Frequency of Hepatitis C Genotype 1 Virus has not varied in Venezuela

Summary Changes in the distribution and frequency of genotypes of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) have been reported in some countries, including Venezuela. We analyze the frequency of HCV genotypes in our country and evaluate possible distribution changes at the national level. Eight hundred and nine serum samples from patients infected with HCV were investigated using PCR- RFLP (Polymerase Chain Reaction amplifi cation of Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism). Samples came from Caracas and 11 Venezuelan states. We identifi ed genotype 1 in 527 patients (65.1%), while 34.4% of these patients showed genotype 2. Genotypes 3, 4 and 5 were extremely uncommon. Of 316 patients infected with genotype 1, 56% showed levels of HCV RNA of less than 600.000 IU/mL, while 44% showed levels higher than 600.000 IU/mL. We demonstrate that the frequency of HCV genotypes remains unaltered in Venezuela. Genotype 1b continues to predominate, accounting for nearly half of all high viral loads.