Serological Genotyping Using Synthetic Peptides Derived from the NS4 Region

The RNA genome of hepatitis C virus (HCV) displays extensive sequence variation, and consequently, the virus is classified into six major genotypes. The severity of disease and response to antiviral treatment are thought to be influenced by both viral and host-related factors, including age of aquisition, duration of infection, circulating virus load, and the genotype of infecting virus Many investigators have reported that infections with HCV type 1 are associated with an increase in the likelihood of progression to hepatocellular carcinoma (1 –3 ), and with nonresponsiveness to interferon therapy when compared to genotypes 2 or 3 (reviewed in refs. 4 ,5 ) This discovery emphasizes the need for genotyping methods in current clinical practice, in providing a predictor of the outcome of treatment, and perhaps helping to target appropriate treatment to the most relevant patient groups.