Determining Major Genotypes of Hepatitis C Virus Among Transplant Recipients by Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay

Results: Of 101 individuals, 47 (46.5%) were positive for anti-HCV antibodies and 34 (33.7%) for RNA with a significant difference (P < 0.05). RNA copy number ranged from 4.6 × 103 to 3.11 × 107 copies/mL, median: 2.92 × 106 copies/mL, with no statistical differences in all groups. Analyses revealed no significant differences between the frequencies of anti-HCV antibodies or RNA in different groups. The frequencies of the genotypes 1 (50%) and 3 (35.3%) were higher than those of the genotypes 2 (2.9%), 4 (2.9%), and undetermined one (8.8%). Genotype 1 was significantly more prevalent in liver transplant recipients, those older than 40 years, and male cases (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Considering the high frequency of genotypes 1 and 3 among the studied groups, it is suggested that before and after transplantation programs be improved to manage and treat the disease efficiently, based on the standard protocols for such genotypes in the region. Accordingly, the occurrence of post-transplant complications due to immunosuppression among all the recipients as well as reinfection in HCV infected liver transplant patients can be diminished.