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Hepatitis C Virus Genotypes: An 8-question Quiz

Article

How much do you know about the different HCV genotypes and how they impact treatment? Take our quick, 8-question quiz to find out. 

A key variable in the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the type of genotype, which is the strain of the virus a patient was exposed to when they were infected. How much do you know about the different HCV genotypes and how they impact patient treatment?

Click through the 8 statements below to see if you can decipher which ones are true or plain false. 

 

1. There are 6 separate HCV genotypes with the most common in the US being genotype 6.

A. True
B. False

Please click here for answer and next question.

Answer: B. False. Approximately 75% of adults in the US with HCV have genotype 1 vs 20%-25% having genotypes 2 or 3. Genotype 4 is most common in Africa and genotype 6 is most common in Southeast Asia.1,2

 

2. In the US, approximately 90% of African Americans with HCV carry genotype 2.

A. True
B. False

Please click here for answer and next question.

Answer: B. False. In the US, approximately 90% of African Americans with HCV carry genotype 1 vs 67% of Caucasians with HCV.3

 

3. Infection with HCV genotype 1b is linked to an increased risk of liver cirrhosis.

A. True
B. False

Please click here for answer and next question.

Answer: A. True. HCV genotypes are labeled with letters, ie, 1a and 1b. Infection with genotype 1b is linked to a higher risk of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.3

 

4. During the course of HCV infection, genotypes can mutate and change numbers. For example, genotype 1 often changes to genotype 2.

A. True
B. False

Please click here for answer and next question.

Answer: B. False. During the course of HCV infection, genotypes usually stay the same. However, mutations within the same genotype can contribute to drug resistance.3

 

5. HCV infection with more than 1 genotype is common.

A. True
B. False

Please click here for answer and next question.

Answer B. False. Most people are infected with just 1 genotype. Some people are infected with multiple genotypes, especially if they travel between geographic regions where different genotypes are prevalent.3

 

6. HCV genotype 3 is the second most common HCV subtype in the world, but is harder to treat vs other genotypes.

A. True
B. False

Please click here for answer and next question.

Answer: A. True. HCV genotype 3 is harder to treat vs other HCV genotypes especially if patients have previously tried treatment, have cirrhosis, and have decompensated liver disease. Genotype 3 is linked to faster progression to liver disease, higher rates of steatosis, and increased risk of liver cancer; it is particularly common in northern Europe, South Asia, and Southeast Asia.3

 

7. Treatment duration is the same regardless of HCV genotype.

A. True
B. False

Please click here for answer and next question.

Answer: B. False. The World Health Organization recommends a treatment duration of 12 weeks for genotypes 1, 3, 5, and 6 and 24 weeks for genotype 3.4

 

8. Different HCV genotypes are usually treated with different types of drugs.

A. True
B. False

Please click here for answer.

Answer: A. True. Genotypes 1, 4, 5, and 6 are commonly treated with sofosbuvir/ledipasvir. Genotypes 2 and 3 are commonly treated with sofosbuvir/ribavirin. Some DAAs are pangenotypic and can treat multiple genotypes.4

Image ©Kateryna_Kon/Shutterstock.com

References:

1. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Hepatitis C. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/liver-disease/viral-hepatitis/hepatitis-c. Published May 2017. Accessed July 15, 2019. 

2. US Department of Veterans Affairs. Viral Hepatitis and Liver Disease. https://www.hepatitis.va.gov/hcv/background/genotypes.asp. Accessed July 15, 2019.

3. Treatment Action Group. HCV Genotypes. http://www.treatmentactiongroup.org/hcv/factsheets/hcv-genotypes. Published February 2017. Accessed July 15, 2019.

4. World Health Organization. Hepatitis C. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hepatitis-c. Published July 9, 2019. Accessed July 15, 2019. 

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