Seroepidemiology and genotypes of hepatitis C virus in Thailand.

Sunanchaikarn, Srunthron; Theamboonlers, Apiradee; Chongsrisawat, Voranush; Yoocharoen, Pornsak; Tharmaphornpilas, Piyanit; Warinsathien, Porpit; Sinlaparatsamee, Supakarn; Paupunwatana, Siriraj; Chaiear, Kasemporn; Khwanjaipanich, Sawan; Poovorawan, Yong

Seroepidemiology and genotypes of hepatitis C virus in Thailand.

Date

2007-12-27

Authors

Sunanchaikarn, Srunthron

Theamboonlers, Apiradee

Chongsrisawat, Voranush

Yoocharoen, Pornsak

Tharmaphornpilas, Piyanit

Warinsathien, Porpit

Sinlaparatsamee, Supakarn

Paupunwatana, Siriraj

Chaiear, Kasemporn

Khwanjaipanich, Sawan

Abstract

HCV can be classified into 6 major genotypes based on the phylogenetic analysis of the genomic sequences. The 3 major genotypes found in Thailand are 3, 1 and 6, respectively. In 2004, an epidemiological survey was carried out to evaluate the seroprevalence of HCV infections among populations aged 2-60 years in four provinces of Thailand, representing the North, Northeast, Center and South of the country, respectively. One hundred and twenty five out of 5,825 serum samples (2.15%) were positive for anti-HCV by ELISA. Fifty eight out of 100 anti-HCV positive samples (58.0%) were positive by RT-PCR of the 5'UTR. The core region of 45 representative samples was sequenced allowing classification into genotype variants 1a (6.7%), 1b (26.7%), 2a (2.2%), 2c (2.2%), 3a (51.1%), 3b (2.2%) and 6 (8.9%). This information might be crucial for public health surveillance and prevention of HCV infection.

Description

Published by the Allergy and Immunology Society of Thailand.

Citation

Sunanchaikarn S, Theamboonlers A, Chongsrisawat V, Yoocharoen P, Tharmaphornpilas P, Warinsathien P, Sinlaparatsamee S, Paupunwatana S, Chaiear K, Khwanjaipanich S, Poovorawan Y. Seroepidemiology and genotypes of hepatitis C virus in Thailand. Asian Pacific Journal of Allergy and Immunology. 2007 Jun-Sep; 25(2-3): 175-82