The unique HCV genotype distribution and the discovery of a novel subtype 6u among IDUs co‐infected with HIV‐1 in Yunnan, China

Abstract

The Yunnan province is the epicenter of HIV‐1 epidemics in China and a center for drug trafficking to the other parts of the world. In six prefectures of this province, a total of 132 IDUs were recruited to determine the sero‐prevalence of HCV and HIV‐1 and the positive rates were 93.94% and 68.18%, respectively (P < 0.001). Co‐infection with HCV and HIV‐1 was found among 89 IDUs, of whom several HCV fragments were amplified and sequenced. Sequences of the HCV 5′NCR‐C and NS5B region were determined from 82 IDUs. Phylogenetic analyses showed consistent genotyping among 80 IDUs. Among them HCV genotypes 1a, 1b, 3a, 3b, 6a, 6n, and a tentatively assigned novel 6u subtype were found in 1 (1.25%), 16 (20%), 19 (23.75%), 24 (30%), 4 (5%), 9 (11.25%) and 7 (8.75%) individuals, respectively. In two IDUs, genotyping results were discordant, suggesting mixed HCV infections or recombination. The proportion of patients with HCV 1b tended to decrease from the north to south and from the east to west in this province. Genotype 3 and 6 strains were more frequent in the southern prefectures. The novel subtype 6u strains were only detected in Dehong which borders Myanmar. Our findings showed a unique pattern of HCV genotype distribution, which is similar to that in the southeastern Asian countries but distinct from that among the general population in China. Routes of drug trafficking and the resulting high prevalence of HIV‐1 infection may have contributed to this pattern of HCV genotype distribution. J. Med. Virol. 80: 1142–1152, 2008.