Prevalence and distribution of hepatitis C virus genotypes in Galicia during the period 2000-2015.

Introduction: We present the largest study conducted in Galicia on the prevalence and distribution of HCV genotypes/subtypes.

Methods: Retrospective study collecting the total number of patients chronically infected by HCV between 2000.01.01 to 2015.12.31 in 3of the main health areas: Santiago, Pontevedra and Vigo.

Results: We collected a total of 4469 patients. The median age was 50 years (IQR 57-45), 72,3% were men, 0,4% were coinfected with another genotype, 20,6% were coinfected with HIV and 35.2% with HBV. The main route of transmission was parenteral (83,1%), followed by unknown (15,3%), sexual (1,4%) and vertical (0,2%). The distribution of genotypes was: 62,9% HCV-1 (29,2% HCV-1a and 31,9% HCV-1b), 3,4% HCV-2, 21,0% HCV-3, 12,6% HCV-4 and 0,1% HCV-5.

Conclusion: The distribution of genotypes in Galicia shows significant differences with respect to that observed in Spain. This distribution varies with age, gender, coinfection with HIV and/or HBV, and within geographical areas.