Genotypes and Viral Load of Hepatitis C Virus among HIV Patients Visiting ART Center of Nepal

Abstract HIV patients are prone to various other complications, disorder and coinfections mainly HCV coinfection. HCV coinfection increases up the frequency and severity of liver disease. The aim of this study was to find the prevalence of HCV coinfection among HIV patients, HCV viral load and HCV genotypes in Nepal. This cross-sectional study was conducted from Oct 2021 to May 2022 in the HIV seropositive patients attending the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH), Kathmandu, Nepal. All the demographic and blood samples were collected from the patients. The RNA was extracted and estimated the viral load and HCV genotypes by standard Q-PCR protocols. A total 203 PLHIV were enrolled in the study out of which 115 (56.6%) had HCV co-infection by Q-PCR. Most commonly HCV infection was higher in male 110 (95.6%) than female 5 (4.4%). HCV viral load < 34 IU/ml was observed as higher number 56 (27.6%) then 31 (15.3%) had among 34-3000 IU/ml, 17 (8.4%) had 3000–30000 IU/ml, 8 (3.9%) had 30000–300000 IU/ml and only 3 (1.5%) had > 3000000 IU/ml HCV viral load. Genotype 3 were most prevalent 36 (61.1%) then genotypes 5a, 6, 1 and 1a as 13 (22.1%), 6 (10.2%, 2 (3.3%) and 2 (3.3%) respectively. Genotype 3a was most prevalent genotypes and the presence of HCV genotype 6 in Nepalese patients may indicate a shift of HCV genotypes.