Hepatitis C virus genotypes in chronic hepatitis C of children

Several hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes have been recently identified and genotype 1b has been correlated with severe liver disease and a poor response to interferon therapy. HCV infection in children is an interesting model for evaluation of the relationship between HCV genotypes and liver disease, because of its relatively short duration and the infrequent association with confounding cofactors. We have investigated HCV genotypes, using a dot-blot hybridization assay with genotype-specific probes, in 36 Italian children with chronic hepatitis C who were otherwise well and had no other underlying disease. Only four patients were symptomatic; liver histology, obtained in 33 patients, showed minimal hepatitis in 17 and mild chronic hepatitis in 16. Infection with HCV genotype 1b was found in 55.5% of patients, with a peak prevalence of 83% in children from southern Italy (P < 0.05 vs other regions). The remaining children were infected with HCV genotype 1a (16.6%), genotype 2 (11.1%), and mixed (10.9%) or undetermined (2.7%) genotypes. In one patient, HCV viraemia was never detected. There was no statistically significant correlation between genotype and age, sex, source of infection, alanine aminotransferase pattern and histological activity index. These results indicate that genotype 1 b is widespread among Italian children with chronic hepatitis C, although with significant geographical variations. It is not associated with a more severe liver disease, therefore suggesting that the greater severity of liver disease recently reported in adults could reflect the cumulative effects of disease duration and of interfering cofactors.

Author: Bortolotti F, Vajro P, Balli F, Giacchino R, Crivellaro C, Barbera C, Pontisso P, Nebbia G, Zancan L, Bertolini A, Alberti A, Clinica Medica 2, Padua, Italy. Source: J Viral Hepat 3: 323-327 (1996)

Hepatitis C Genotype Guides Health Plans
Because the suggested treatment length and success rates vary between genotypes, this is typically one of the first distinctions made after a Hepatitis C diagnosis. In order to assure the correct course of therapy is approved, health insurance companies are...

Math May Foretell Hepatitis C Drug Success
By doing a math formula calculation on the specific genetics of an individual's Hepatitis C infection, doctors may be able to predict whether or not treatment will be successful....

Treatment Approved for Kids With Hepatitis C
Instead of prescribing the drugs for "off-label use," pediatricians can now feel more confident when treating children with Hepatitis C. Schering-Plough's Rebetol and PEG-Intron have been officially approved by the FDA for treating Hepatitis C in kids aged 3 to...