Abstract
Assessment of Hepatitis C Virus Genotype Distribution and Viral Load in FATA, Pakistan
Fazal Rahim1, Salim Ullah2, Imtiaz Ali3, Abdul Tawab4, Asifullah Khan1, Farman Ullah5,6, Sara Sami7
Keywords: Epidemiology, FATA, genotype distribution, HCV, Pakistan, viral load
DOI: 10.63475/yjm.v4i3.0187
DOI URL: https://doi.org/10.63475/yjm.v4i3.0187
Publish Date: 31-12-2025
Download PDFPages: 570 - 579
Views: 4
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Author Affiliation:
1 Assistant professor, Department of Biochemistry, Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan, Khyber, Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
2 Post-Doctoral Researcher, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui, China
3 Postdoctoral researcher, School of Life Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
4 M. Phil Scholar, Khyber Girls Medical College, Peshawar, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, Pakistan
5 Assistant Professor/Teacher, College of Animal Sciences, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
6 Centre for Biotechnology and Microbiology, University of Swat, Charbagh, Pakistan
7 Student, Khyber Medical University Institute of Medical Sciences, Kohat, Pakistan
Abstract
Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of chronic liver disease and regularly progresses towards liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Effective treatment and public health strategies depend on an accurate understanding of local viral epidemiology, particularly genotypic distribution and viral load. This study aimed to characterize these factors in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) of Pakistan, a region with a significant HCV burden but limited surveillance data.
Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study included a total of 345 HCV-positive serum samples confirmed by enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) collected between October 2016 and April 2017 at the District Headquarter Hospital in Khyber, Mohmand, Orakzai, and Kurram Agency. Viral load was quantified using quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), and genotyping was performed on RNA-positive samples using a molecular genotype-specific assay.
Results: Of the 345 samples, 120 (34.8%) had a detectable viral load (≥10⁴ copies/mL). Genotyping was successful in 117 of these viremic samples. Genotype 3a was the most prevalent (45%, 54/120), followed by a notable prevalence of mixed and untypable genotypes. A statistically significant association was found between genotype 3a and both geographic area and higher viral load. The distribution also varied with demographic factors such as gender and age.
Conclusions: This study confirms the predominance of HCV genotype 3a in the FATA region and reveals a complex genotypic landscape including mixed infections. These findings underscore the critical need for genotype-specific treatment protocols and enhanced diagnostic capabilities to guide effective therapy. Public health interventions must prioritize improving awareness and healthcare infrastructure to combat HCV.