Characterization of HCV isolates by genotype-specific PCR and sequencing: Correlation with serology and biopsy data (Article) [CARATTERIZZAZIONE DI ISOLATI DI VIRUS DELL'EPATITE C MEDIANTE PCR TIPO-SPECIFICA E SEQUENZIAMENTO: CORRELAZIONE CON I DATI SIEROLOGICI E BIOPTICI]

The HCV genotypes identified to date have different geographical distributions and seem to be associated with differences in clinical outcome and response to treatment with interferon. Serological diagnosis of HCV infection has been affected by the absence of an in vitro culture system for the virus. The commercial kits obtained use recombinant antigens or synthetic peptides derived from known genomic sequences. In this study we examined the prevalence of HCV genotypes in Italy and looked for possible correlations with anti-HCV serological profile and histologically proven liver damage