Identification and genotyping of hepatitis C virus in injectable and oral drug users in New Zealand
- 1 February 1994
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Wiley in Australian and New Zealand Journal of Medicine
- Vol. 24 (1), 47-50
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1445-5994.1994.tb04425.x
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus infections are known to be common in injectable drug users (IDU) both in New Zealand and overseas. Little is known of the hepatitis C genotype frequency in this population. To confirm the high incidence of hepatitis C virus infections in IDU and compare this with the frequency in oral drug users (ODU) as well as identify the pattern of hepatitis C genotypes present. Use was made of an experimental nucleocapsid assay as well as a conventional anti-HCV assay. HCV-RNA was identified using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique and a variation of this method was used for HCV genotyping. Seventy-four per cent of IDU were reactive for anti-HCV in both types of assay. PCR testing detected several more reactive samples. Dominant genotypes were Types I and V, but Type IV was not detected. Mixed infections were noted in some patients. There was a low frequency of anti-HCV in ODU. Hepatitis C virus infections are a problem in IDU in New Zealand, and additional public health measures may be required. The distribution of genotypes of HCV-RNA are similar to those seen in other Western countries.Keywords
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