HCV genotypes distribution pattern in India

Sir,

We read with great interest the article by Chakravarti et al1. The authors evaluated the distribution of different HCV genotypes and its association with HCV viral load in HCV RNA positive patients’ plasma with three different methods. HCV type and subtype analysis was carried out by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) using the method of Chinchai et al2, and in specimens with HCV-RNA positive results, HCV subtypes were detected by performing reverse transcriptase-nested polymerase chain reaction (RT-nPCR) using type-specific primers for the core fragment of the HCV genome, using two distinct reaction tubes containing different primer mixes3 and then HCV genotypes were confirmed by sequencing of core region. The RT-nPCR product and sense primer were used for sequencing1.

According to the first reference method (RFLP) for HCV genotyping, the authors could detect HCV genotypes and subtypes 1a, 1b, 1c, 2a, 2b, c, 3a, 3b, 4a, 5a, and 6a24, that were not mentioned in this article1. The authors have mentioned that with RFLP method they could only identify HCV genotypes 1, 2, and 31. Using the second reference method (using two distinct reaction tubes containing different primer mixes) for HCV genotyping Ohno et al3 could detect HCV genotypes and subtypes 1b, 2a, 2b, 3b in mix 1 tube, and 1a, 3a, 4, 5a, 6a in mix 2 tube, that were not detected by the present authors1. The authors have not discussed about the results and have no reference to the progeny of the second method. It should be noted that two HCV genotyping methods were used by them, but in their study, there was no comparison between two HCV genotyping methods.

In this study1, the analysis revealed the presence of genotypes 1, 2 and 3 using RFLP and type specific PCR followed by direct sequencing. It seems that all samples have been sequenced. Nucleic acid sequencing of an appropriate subgenomic region is considered the “gold standard” for HCV genotyping5–8, so using one of the methods for primary genotyping was enough. It is important to save limited resources we have in developing countries.

The authors could not detect 3i and 3f HCV subtypes with these two methods, therefore, these subtypes were recognized by sequencing method. The authors have not discussed this important item in any part of the article.

There are some problems in explanation of Fig. 2. It would be better to mention that the bands are related to each HCV genotype; otherwise, it is not informative. In their study, there was a relationship between HCV viral load and HCV genotypes that looked interesting and significant. Additionally, the authors have mentioned some valuable points in discussion about the distribution pattern of HCV genotypes, the route and source of HCV infection in India. They have also compared their data with that of United States and Europe. It would be better and valuable if they compare their results with the published data from Asia too.