Hepatitis C virus genotype 3a with phylogenetically distinct origin is circulating in Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the leading causes of viral hepatitis worldwide and its genotype 3a is predominant in vast areas of Pakistan.Findings: The present study reports the first full sequence of HCV 3a isolate PK-1 from Pakistan. This nucleotide sequence was compared with six other HCV genotype 3a full length sequences from different regions of the world by using statistical methods of phylogenetic analysis.Conclusion: The nucleotide difference of these seven sequences shows that HCV genotype 3a of phylogenetically distinct origin is circulating in Pakistan. © 2011 Rehman et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.