Prevalence of hepatitis C virus genotypes in south-central Sicily, Italy: a comparative study between 2000/2001 and 2010/2014

The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of various genotypes in the population of south-central Sicily (Italy) and to compare recent data with those of 2000/2001. In 2000, the patients tested were 202, all hepatitis C virus (HCV)-RNA and anti-HCV positive. From 2010 to 2014 the patients examined are in total 535, all anti-HCV positive, but 111 with genotype negative and therefore likely HCV-RNA negative. The study showed a clear predominance of genotype 1b for both men and women, however, with a much greater prevalence in the older cohort. In both groups, then, the 3a genotype follows for men, while the 2a/2c follows for women. 1a genotype prevalence rate falls in the most recent group of women. The cases of co-infection of more genotypes remain very content in 2014 as it happened in 2000.