Epidemiological Patterns of Genotype Distribution among Hepatitis C Patients in India: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Different genotypes of Hepatitis C have different epidemiological and clinical features, showing varying
prognostic implications. This review captures the genotype distribution among Hepatitis C patients in India. The most
predominant Hepatitis C virus genotype in India is GT3, followed by GT1, which is also significantly prevalent. GT4
and GT6 are increasingly prevalent in southern and north-eastern parts of India, respectively. Other rare genotypes such
as GT2, GT5, and GT8 have also been reported across various parts of India. Among the primary modes of HCV
transmission, intravenous drug use is more common in the younger population, while haemodialysis-related transmission
is more prevalent among elderly males. HCV GT3 and GT1 appear to have a strong association with the patients being
infected through intravenous drug abuse and haemodialysis, respectively.