Full Length Research Paper

Hepatitis C virus infection in Abidjan Cote d Ivoire: Heterogeneity of genotypes

Alphonsine Kouassi-M Bengue¹*, Marie Jeanne Lohoues Kouacou², Euloge Ekaza1, Liliane Siransy-Bogui³, Daniel Coulibaly N’Golo¹, Patrick Labonté⁴ and Mireille Dosso¹

¹Laboratory of bacteriology-virology, Institute Pasteur of Côte d’Ivoire, CHU of Cocody Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

²Gastro enterology department, CHU of Cocody, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

³Centre national de transfusion sanguine, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

⁴INRS-Institute Armand-Frappier, Laval, Canada H7V 1B7.

*Corresponding author. E-mail:  kouassimbengue@yahoo.fr.

Accepted 17 April, 2008

   Abstract

Whereas the distribution of HCV genotypes in many countries is well documented, very little is known about the genotypes prevalent in Cote d’ Ivoire, in West Africa. This study was undertaken to clarify molecular characteristics of HCV isolated in Cote d’ Ivoire. Plasma samples from 2866 blood donors and 100 patients hospitalized at the teaching hospital of Cocody in Medical and Pediatrics’ services were collected and screened for HCV antibodies, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and HIV antibodies by enzyme immuno assays (EIA). Viral RNA was extracted from anti HCV antibodies positive samples using a one step RT-PCR (Qiagen one-step RT-PCR kit). From blood donors and patients, detection of HCV antibody was positive for 43 (1.5%) and 23 (23%), respectively. Only 27 samples were positive for RNA detection. Concerning genotyping, we observed predominance of genotype 1 (77.8%), followed by genotype 2 (18.5%) and genotype 5 (3.7%). This study revealed heterogeneity of HCV genotypes in Cote d’ Ivoire.

Key words: HCV, antibodies, RT-PCR, genotypes, Cote d’ Ivoire.