Resumo

AMORIM, Regina MS et al. Hepatitis C virus genotypes in blood donors from the Federal District, Central Brazil. Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz [online]. 2004, vol.99, n.8, pp. 895-897. ISSN 0074-0276.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0074-02762004000800019.

The objective of this study was to characterize hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes in blood donors from the Federal District, Central Brazil, and to compare HCV screening by serological assays and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Plasma samples from 57 individuals with reactive or indeterminate results in serological anti-HCV screening assays (ELISA or EIA) were tested for HCV RNA by RT-PCR. The results from a confirmatory LIA serological assay were also evaluated. The 5' non-coding region of the HCV genome was amplified from 41 PCR positive samples (71.9%), which were further characterized by nucleotide sequencing analysis. Of these, 60.9% were of HCV genotype 1 and 39.1% of genotype 3.

Palavras-chave : hepatitis C virus; genotypes; Federal District, Central Brazil.