Genotypes  

The genotype of your virus will determine how well you will respond to treatment.

A genotype is a classification of a virus based on the genetic material in the RNA strands of the virus. There are six distinct genotypes of hepatitis C virus in the world with multiple sub-types in each genotype class. The reason chronic Hepatitis C is so difficult to treat is because of these multiple distinct genotypes. A patient is usually only infected with one genotype, but each genotype is actually a mixture of closely related viruses called quasi species. These quasi species have the ability to mutate very quickly and become immune to current treatments.

The following table lists the different genotypes of chronic HVC and where they are found in the world:

Although the table lists the areas of the world where the different genotypes are prevalent, it is possible to have any of the genotypes without actually visiting that country. Blood products can come from any part of the world and before 1991 Hepatitis C blood donor screening was not performed. The HCV antibody tests were not developed or put into practice until 1991.

Response Rates