Year: 2026 | Month: October | Volume: 16 | Issue: 10 | Pages: 144-151
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20261015
Study on Genotypes of Hepatitis C Virus and Its Association with Demographic Profile and Viral Load in Tertiary Care Hospital
Rahul Agarwal1, Dinesh Verma2, Avinash Narayan3, Rohitash Johari4
1Associate Professor, 2Senior Professor, 3,4Scientist B, Department of Microbiology,
Government Medical College, Kota, Rajasthan.
Corresponding Author: Dr Dinesh Verma
ABSTRACT
Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) exhibits substantial genetic diversity, with genotype distribution varying across geographical regions. Characterizing circulating genotypes and their relationship with demographic characteristics and viral load may contribute to understanding regional HCV epidemiology and informing clinical management.
Objective: To determine the distribution of HCV genotypes and assess their associations with demographic characteristics, documented transmission risk factors, and quantitative HCV RNA levels among patients attending a tertiary care hospital in Kota, Rajasthan, India.
Methods: This laboratory-based cross-sectional study included 50 anti-HCV antibody-positive blood samples received at the Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratory, Government Medical College and Associated Group of Hospitals, Kota, between January and May 2026. HCV RNA was quantified using a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay, and genotyping was performed using a commercial real-time PCR-based genotyping kit. Demographic characteristics, documented risk factors, genotype distribution, and viral load measurements were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 26.0. Associations between sex and genotype were assessed using Fisher’s exact test, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.
Results: The study population comprised 42 males (84.0%) and 8 females (16.0%), with a mean age of 36.9 ± 14.1 years. Genotype 3 was predominant, accounting for 32 cases (64.0%), followed by genotype 1a in 13 (26.0%) and unclassified genotype 1 in 5 (10.0%). No statistically significant association was observed between sex and genotype distribution (p = 0.635). Transmission risk factors were undocumented in 35 patients (70.0%); intravenous drug use and previous blood transfusion were reported in 16.0% and 8.0%, respectively. Genotype 3 exhibited the highest mean HCV RNA level (7.71 × 10⁴ IU/mL), compared with genotype 1a (1.57 × 10⁴ IU/mL) and genotype 1 (2.08 × 10⁴ IU/mL). These differences were descriptive, as no inferential comparison of viral loads was reported.
Conclusion: Genotype 3 was the predominant HCV genotype in this hospital-based cohort, with a marked male predominance and a high proportion of undocumented transmission risk factors. Larger studies are warranted to validate regional genotype patterns and clarify associations between genotype and viral load.
Key words: Hepatitis C Virus (HCV); Genotype 3; Real-Time PCR; Quantitative Viral Load; Intravenous Drug Use (IDU); Micro-epidemiology; Kota; Direct-Acting Antivirals (DAAs)