@article{Fahim_Mirza_Khalid_Imtiaz_Ahmad_2021, title={THE HEPATITIS C UNTYPE-ABLE GENOTYPES, AN EMERGENCE OF QUASI-SPECIES IN HCV INFECTED PATIENTS: :The Hepatitis C untype-able genotypes}, volume={71}, url={https://pafmj.org/PAFMJ/article/view/2603}, DOI={10.51253/pafmj.v71iSuppl-1.2603}, abstractNote={<p><strong>Objective:</strong> To determine the frequency of Type-able and untype-able genotypes in hepatitis C infected patients,<br>and to observe their association with gender, age, Alanine Aminotranferease and viral load.</p> <p><strong>Study Design:</strong> Cross-sectional analytical study.</p> <p><strong>Place and Duration of Study:</strong> Department of Microbiology, Combined Military Hospital, and Lahore, Pakistan<br>from Sep 2017 to Mar 2018.</p> <p><strong>Methodology:</strong> Six hundred forty seven anti HCV antibodies positive serum samples by Enzyme Linked Immuno<br>Sorbant Assay were received from a total of 6791 serum samples. The positive sera were subjected to qualitative PCR and quantitative real time (RT) PCR to determine pre-treatment viral load. Quantitative PCR positive sera with viral load >500IU/ml were further subjected to molecular genotyping by using Ohno et al method.</p> <p><strong>Result: </strong>Out of 647 positive serum samples, type-specific PCR fragments were seen in 424 sera, while 13 (3.1%) of serum samples were of untype-able genotype. In all age groups genotype 3a had emerged as a predominant<br>genotype 397 (93.6%), followed by 1b 8 (1.9%), 3b 4 (0.9%), 1a 2 (0.5%), while no sample detected to have 2a, 2b,<br>5a, 6a and mixed genotypes. The highest prevalence of untype-ables were seen in 61-70 age group.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Need of the hour is proper sequencing of untype-able genotypes via upgrading existing methodologies. It will not only help the clinicians in achieving sustained virological response but also help in identifying new genotypes/subtypes.<br><br></p>}, number={Suppl-1}, journal={Pakistan Armed Forces Medical Journal}, author={Fahim, Qanita and Mirza, Irfan Ali and Khalid, Ayesha and Imtiaz, Anum and Ahmad, Asad}, year={2021}, month={Jan.}, pages={S106–12} }