Lack of association between genotypes and subtypes of HCV and occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma in Egypt

The distribution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes was evaluated in individuals with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cirrhosis in Egypt. A total of 206 patients sero-positive for HCV-RNA among 400 surveyed individuals (186 with HCC, 100 with cirrhosis, and 114 healthy volunteers) were analyzed for HCV genotype. Of 206 patients, 129 had HCC, 65 had cirrhosis without HCC, and 12 were healthy volunteers. Phylogenetic analysis of sequence showed that of 206 samples, 186 contained HCV genotype 4 (90.3%), while 20 had HCV genotype 1 (9.7%). Among subjects with genotype 4, subtype 4a was predominant (79%), other subtypes included 4d, 4m, 4n, and 4o. Among those with HCV genotype 1, 15 had subtype 1g and five subtype 1a. Although subtype 4a was noted slightly more frequently in HCC (76%) compared to cirrhosis (66%) and controls (50%), there was no statistically significant difference between these three groups (P = 0.08). In conclusion, HCV genotype 4 predominates in Egypt. There was no association between subtypes of genotype 4 and the development of HCC.