Journal of Stem Cell Research & Therapy

Ecology and genetic susceptibility of HCV RNA in various isonym groups of Punjab, Pakistan

4^th International Conference and Exhibition on Cell & Gene Therapy

August 10-12, 2015 London, UK

Rubi Ghazala and Muhammad Aslam Khan

Posters-Accepted Abstracts: J Stem Cell Res Ther

Abstract:

Introduction & Rationale: Hepatitis C, a widespread infectious disease targeting circa 130 million people worldwide, is caused by
the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). HCV genome, consisting of 9,600 nucleotides, is fully sequenced. Population specific high variation in
the HCV genome exists. HCV is classified into 7 different genotypes with several subtypes. Genotypes 1, 2 and 3 are found worldwide.
Objective: To find out the ecology and genetics of susceptibility of HCV RNA in various isonym groups of the Punjab population
Subjects & Methods: A sample of 349 chronic HCV hospital patients was studied who were already taking the treatment of standard
therapy of Interferon+Ribavirin thrice a week. The sample was naturally divisible into three groups: Responder, the patients who received
the standard therapy and recovered/cured; Relapser, the patients who, after a course of therapy became negative for HCV RNA but after
sometimes (6-18 months) became HCV positive again; Non-responder, the patients who did not show positive response to therapy.
Results: It was found that HCV genotype 3a is very common (84.0%) among the responders group while genotype 1a is
more common in relapser (66.2%) and non-responders (54.0%). Five of the Six main genotypes, namely, 1a (61.40%), 2a
(0.50%), 2b (20.00%), 3a (13.70%) and an Untypeable (4.40%) were found among the 12 different castes/tribes/isonym ethnic
groups. Genotype 4 was not found. The HCV frequency in 12 isonym groups is as follows: Arain (15.26%), Gujjar (10.02%),
Jutt (18.91%), Kashmiri (10.02%), Malik (10.44%), Mughal (3.21%), Pathan (17.19%), Rajput (11.46%), Sheikh (3.43%), and
Sayyed (4.87%). Jutt caste was found to have the maximum infection of HCV, while the minimum was found in Mughals.
Genotype 3a among responder was most common in Rajput caste. Among the relapser 1a is most prevalent in Jutts. Pathans
top the list of non-responders having 1a and 2b. Genotype 2a was found only in one sample of Rajput, who was non-responder.
Gene-polymorphism in IL-10 and IL-28B genes to ascertain the genetic susceptibility among various isonym groups
revealed six SNPs. In IL-10, SNP at 1082 position, AA (14.5%), GA (80.30%) and GG (5.20%); SNP at 819, AA (3.2%), AC
(84.7%) and CC (12.0%); and SNP at 592 position, AA (6.0%), CA (69.9%) and CC (24.1%). CA was in high frequency than CC
and AA homologous gene polymorphism. In IL-28B SNP at location a, GG (4.8%), TG (40.6%), TT (54.6%); SNP at location b,
CC (34.9%), CT (58.2%), TT (6.8%) and CC (40.2%), CT (43.8%), TT (16.1%) were found. Frequency of TT homologous high
at one position, CT hetrozygous polymorphism was frequent at the second and third position.
Conclusion: Human genetic susceptibility to HCV genotypes appears to be of importance in getting the infection. The study
suggests that IL-10 and IL-28B interleukin genes are common in two major castes of the Punjab. A cohort study needs to be
done for better understanding of human susceptibility to HCV infection and its management.