Prevalence of HCV genotypes and subtypes in Southeast Asia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

PLoS One. 2021 May 20;16(5):e0251673. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251673. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Known for its high genetic diversity and variation in genotypic presence in different regions of the world, hepatitis C virus (HCV) is estimated to infect about 71 million people globally. Selection of an appropriate therapeutic regimen largely depends on the identification of the genotype responsible for the infection. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to provide a comprehensive view of HCV genotype and subtype distribution in Southeast Asia (SEA). The review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA). We searched five databases without year and language restrictions. Data from 90 eligible studies involving 15,089 genotypes and 9,646 subtypes representing 10 SEA countries were analyzed. The pooled estimates showed that genotype 1 (46.8%) [95% CI, 43.2-50.4; I2 = 92.77%; p < 0.001] was the most dominant HCV genotype in the region, followed by genotype 3 (23.1%) [95% CI, 19.4-27.2; I2 = 93.03%; p < 0.001], genotype 6 (16.5%) [95% CI, 13.8-19.6], genotype 2 (4.6%) [95% CI, 3.5-5.9], genotype 4 (1.1%) [95% CI, 0.7-1.5] and genotype 5 (0.8%) [95% CI, 0.4-1.3]. Philippines had the highest prevalence of genotypes 1 and 2. Genotype 6 became more prevalent after year 2000. Over 40 different subtypes were identified, with subtypes 1b (26.3%), 1a (21.3%), and 3a (14.3%) being the most prevalent of all the reported subtypes. Although on a global scale, genotype 6 is considered highly prevalent in SEA, evidence from this study reveals that it is the third most prevalent genotype within the region.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Asia, Southeastern / epidemiology
  • Genetic Variation*
  • Genotype*
  • Hepacivirus / genetics*
  • Hepatitis C / epidemiology
  • Hepatitis C / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Prevalence

Grants and funding

This research was funded by Universiti Sains Malaysia in the form of grants awarded to RHS (304.PPSP.6316338, 304.PPSP.6316148). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. AAI and YW also acknowledge support from Universiti Sains Malaysia via the USM Fellowship Scheme.