Prevalence of Genotype 3a Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) In the Infected Population of Lahore, Pakistan

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is most important public health concern and an emerging disease in Pakistan. A study was conducted to explore the prevalence of Hepatitis C↔Genotype 3a in the infected population of Metropolitan, Lahore Pakistan by using primers against the 5' non coding region of the viral RNA, cDNA was synthesized. For qualitative analysis, the amplification of cDNA was done by first round PCR. Nested PCR was performed with first round PCR product. Amplification of HCV cDNA for genotyping by regular PCR was carried out. For HCV genotyping by second round PCR, two different primer mixtures were prepared. Detection of genotype specific band was confirmed by gel electrophoresis. A 232 bp specific band of HCV 3a genotype was amplified. Our result showed, prevalence of genotype 3a out of 155 HCV PCR positive samples where 51.61 % (80) samples were among population of Lahore.