LEVELS OF HEPATITIS-C VIRUS IN BLOOD-DONORS INFECTED WITH DIFFERENT VIRAL GENOTYPES

The level of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the serum of 337 blood donors infected with different viral genotypes was investigated by branched D NA assay, Viral genotype was deduced by restriction analysis of the vi rus 5'-noncoding region, Samples included genotypes la, Ib, 2a, 2b, 3, 4, 5, and 6. Multivariate analysis revealed that the ranges of HCV le vels were similar for all viral genotypes and subtypes (P = .18), with the possible exception of genotype 4. Virus levels were significantly lower in female than male subjects (P < .001) but did not correlate w ith donor age (P = .06) or country of origin (P = .07), Alanine aminot ransferase level was not correlated with virus level or genotype or wi th donor age, sex, or country. These results indicate a similar replic ative capacity in vivo for different HCV genotypes and clarify the inf luence of host and virus factors on disease severity and responsivenes s to interferon treatment.