An outbreak of HCV genotype 6a and 2a infection in South China: Confirmation of iatrogenic transmission by phylogenetic analysis of the NS5B region

Shao,Xiaoqiong; Luo,Qiumin; Cai,Qingxian; Zhang,Fulong; Zhu,Jiangyun; Liu,Ying; Zhao,Zhixin; Gao,Zhiliang; Zhang,Xiaohong

doi:10.3892/mmr.2016.5737

An outbreak of HCV genotype 6a and 2a infection in South China: Confirmation of iatrogenic transmission by phylogenetic analysis of the NS5B region

Authors:
- Xiaoqiong Shao
- Qiumin Luo
- Qingxian Cai
- Fulong Zhang
- Jiangyun Zhu
- Ying Liu
- Zhixin Zhao
- Zhiliang Gao
- Xiaohong Zhang
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Affiliations: Department of Infectious Disease, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat‑Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, P.R. China, Department of Internal Medicine, Zijin County People's Hospital, Heyuan, Guangdong 517400, P.R. China
Published online on: September 13, 2016 https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2016.5737
Pages: 4285-4292

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Abstract

An outbreak of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections, for which the risk factor was unknown, was previously identified in North Guangdong, China. In the present study, a total of 736 local residents were surveyed regarding their lifetime risk factors for HCV infection. Serum anti‑HCV antibodies and HCV RNA were examined to confirm infection. In the HCV‑positive samples, the core and nonstructural protein 5B sequences were amplified, and phylogenetic analysis was performed to determine the association between HCV subtypes and transmission routes. A total of 374 individuals were positive for anti‑HCV antibodies. Blood transfusion, blood product transfusion, people who inject drugs and intravenous injection at a local clinic were identified as independent risk factors for HCV infection. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the two predominant subtypes of HCV, 2a and 6a, were primarily focused in four homologous clusters. Patients with a history of intravenous injection at a local clinic were more likely to be found in the four clusters, compared with patients exposed to other risk factors. The present emergency retrospective survey showed a specific epidemiological feature of HCV infection in Zijin County and found genetic homology among individuals exposed to intravenous injection at a local clinic. Further evidence is required to confirm the causal association between the outbreak of HCV infection and intravenous injection.

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