High genetic diversity including potential new subtypes of hepatitis C virus genotype 6 in Lao Peoples Democratic Republic》.pdf

RESEARCH NOTE VIROLOGY High genetic diversity including potential Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of liver cirrhosis new subtypes of hepatitis C virus genotype and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. It is estimated that 6 in Lao People’s Democratic Republic up to 3% of the world’s population are infected with HCV [1]. Currently, six genotypes of HCV are recognized [2] and a seventh has been proposed [3]. While some of the geno- ¨ 1 2 3 types, such as 1, 2 and 3, are found worldwide, others show J. M. Hu bschen , P. Jutavijittum , T. Thammavong , 4 2 5 1 a geographically more restricted prevalence [4–6]. Genotype B. Samountry , A. Yousukh , K. Toriyama , A. Sausy 1 6, which is found throughout East Asia, is by far the most and C. P. Muller ´ variable genotype, with at least 23 proposed subtypes (a–w) 1) Institute of Immunology, Centre de Recherche Public – Sante/Labora- ´ [2,4,5,7–12]. While HCV genotypes have been well studied toire National de Sante, Luxembourg, Luxembourg, 2) Department of