Vol. 3 No. 3

Research Articles

Correlation Analysis of HCV Genotyping with Viral load, Liver Function, and Liver Fibrosis in Anti-HCV Positive Patients in Yueyang Area

Published 2026-05-31

  • Jiaxin Yin
    • ,
  • Xixin Jiang
    • ,
  • Congyi Huang
    • ,
  • Yi Yang
    • ,
  • Rili Ou
    • ,
  • Yu Zhong

Jiaxin Yin
Yueyang People's Hospital

Xixin Jiang
Yueyang People's Hospital

Congyi Huang
Yueyang People's Hospital

Yi Yang


Rili Ou
Yueyang People's Hospital

Yu Zhong
Yueyang People's Hospital

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the distribution of HCV genotypes among anti-HCV-positive patients in Yueyang using next-generation sequencing (NGS), and to examine their associations with sex, age, viral load, liver function, and liver fibrosis markers.

Methods: A total of 133 anti-HCV-positive patients admitted to Yueyang People’s Hospital from October 2024 to January 2026 were included. Demographic data, HCV-RNA viral load, HCV genotyping results, liver function indicators, and liver fibrosis markers were collected. Genotype distribution, NGS detection performance, and differences in clinical indicators among genotypes were analyzed.

Results: Five HCV genotypes were identified among the 133 patients. Genotype 1b was predominant, accounting for 42.9%, followed by 6a at 26.3%, 3a at 10.5%, mixed genotype infection at 4.5%, and 2a at 2.3%. Sex distribution did not differ significantly among genotypes (P>0.05). Age distribution showed an overall significant difference (P<0.05), but no between-group difference remained significant after correction for multiple comparisons. No significant differences were found among genotypes in HCV viral load, ALT, AST, ALP, GGT, TBIL, TBA, HA, CIV, PIIIP, or LN (P>0.05), while DBIL differed significantly (P<0.05). The positive agreement rate, negative agreement rate, and overall agreement rate of NGS for HCV genotyping were all 100.0%, with a Kappa value of 1.000.

Conclusion: HCV genotype 1b was the predominant genotype in Yueyang, followed by 6a. Most clinical indicators did not differ significantly among genotypes, except for DBIL. The FASTASeq 300 Dx gene sequencer showed high accuracy in HCV genotyping and may provide reliable evidence for individualized treatment of hepatitis C.

Keywords

Chronic hepatitis C, Genotype, Liver function, Liver fibrosis, Viral load

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