Natural course of hepatitis C virus carrier : genotype 1b versus 2a/2b in a long-term prospective study of patients in an HCV hyperendemic area of Japan

We examined the natural course and clinical characteristics of 138 HCV carriers according to HCV genotypes. Stored serum samples obtained from patients were examined for HCV core antigen levels and HCV genotypes. Genotype 1b was found in 79 (57.2%), genotype 2a in 8 (5.8%), genotype 2b in 46 (33.3%) and genotype 1b+2b in 5 (3.6%) patients.119 patients followed 20 years or more after infection excluding genotype 1b+2b were classified into two groups : genotype 1b and non-genotype 1b (2a and 2b : 2a/2b). The numbers of patients were 70 and 49 in the genotype 1b and genotype 2a/2b groups, respectively. Patients with genotype 2a/2b had significantly higher HCV core antigen levels 20 years after infection than those with genotype 1b. However, patients with genotype 1b had significantly higher ZTT and type IV collagen than those with genotype 2a/2b.HCV core antigen levels in cases with genotype 1b did not increase 10 years or more after infection ; on the other hand, those with genotype 2a/2b increased significantly.