Genotypes of hepatitis C virus in Kuwait

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes in 144 patients in Kuwait were determined by the Murex Anti-HCV Serotyping Assay. Twenty-nine (38%) of 77 Kuwaiti patients were found to be infected with genotype 4 and 27% with genotype 1 while of the 41 Egyptian expatriate patients 37 (90%) were infected with genotype 4. Results show that although in native Kuwaiti patients the dominant genotype is 4, other genotypes, especially type 1, occur frequently. Copyright © 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.