HCV Hepatitis C GENOTYPE
GENOTYPE: genetic variation in the structure of HCV Hepatitis C. There are nine major genotypes, designated by the numbers 1 through 9. There are also many subtypes, e.g., 1a, 1b, 2a, etc.
The HCV Hepatitis C genotype present can impact on a patient’s responsiveness to treatment.
Hepatitis C Genotypes 2 and 3 generally respond well to current treatment regimens when compared with genotype 1, which does not respond as well.
Once the Hepatitis C genotype is identified, it does not need to be tested again -- hepatitis C genotypes do not change during the course of infection.
It is possible to be infected with multiple genotypes, Once you have HCV hepatitis C you can still catch a different genotype.
prior infection does not protect against reinfection with the same or different genotypes of the Hepatitis C virus.
The standard duration for treatment of chronic hepatitis C is 48 weeks for genotype 1, and 24 weeks for genotypes 2 and 3.
In New Zealand the test for your Hepatitis C genotype is usually taken at the same time as your Liver Biopsy, make sure you ask your doctor / nurse what genotype you have. e.g. "i have HCV Hepatitis C genotype 3 a"
There are nine identified HCV Hepatitis C genotypes. In New Zealand,
- type 1 makes up approximately 50 per cent of cases,
- with types 2 and 3 making up a further 40 to 45 per cent.
- Types 4–9 are much rarer and found in Egypt, South Africa, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. Collectively, they make up approximately 5 per cent of infections in New Zealand.