The distribution of hepatitis C viral genotypes shifted among chronic hepatitis C patients in Yunnan, China, between 2008-2018.

Object: The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is prevalent across China, with a distinctive genotypic distribution that varies by geographical region and mode of transmission. Yunnan is one such geographical region wherein the local population continues to experience a high level of HCV infection, severely straining public health resources. This high prevalence is likely due to the increased incidence of intravenous drug use in that region, as Yunnan is a major point of entry for illegal heroin into China. Methods: We investigated 510 individuals with chronic HCV infections in Yunnan Province from 2008 through 2018. Using reverse transcription PCR and Sanger sequencing to amplify and sequence samples. Bayesian analyses was performed to estimate the common ancestors and Bayesian skyline plot to estimate the effective viral population size. Molecular network was conducted to explore the characteristics of HCV transmission. Results: We successfully amplified and sequenced a total of 503 viral samples and genotyped each as either 3b (37.6%), 3a (21.9%), 1b (19.3%), 2a (10.5%), HCV-6 (10.1%), or 1a (0.6%). Over this 11-year period, we observed that the proportion of 3a and 3b subtypes markedly increased and, concomitantly, that the proportion of 1b and 2a subtypes decreased. We also performed Bayesian analyses to estimate the common ancestors of the four major subtypes, 1b, 2a, 3a, and 3b. Finally, we determined that our Bayesian skyline plot and transmission network data correlated well with the changes we observed in the proportions of HCV subtypes over time. Conclusions: Taken together, our results indicate that the prevalence of HCV 3a and 3b subtypes is rapidly increasing in Yunnan, thus demonstrating a steadily growing public health requirement to implement more stringent preventative and therapeutic measures to curb the spread of the virus.