Hep C Discussion Forum

Hi Loopy,

You'll drive yourself nuts. You can find an article that says anything you want.

Basicly, HCV derived from a single quasispecies some time ago. Some say hundreds of years ago, but the most consistent research suggest more recent origins, between 1829 and 1900. Most think that Geno 1b was the original form, and all the major groups derived from that. For Geno 2, 3 and 4, the subgroups derived from a single parent. The only difference between the Genotypes is their structure. Sequential changes at 5''-UTR and NS5B ( both just indicate a position on the viral structure), allow the Genotypes to be distinguished.

The rapid expansion of the virus from 1940-1960 lead many researchers to believe that World War 2 was responsible. The commonest Geno's were 1a which was called the "American Genotype'' and 1b, called the "Japanese" Genotype. HCV spread from the developed world to the undeveloped world, which means the article about 3b arising in Pakistan is hard to believe.

In 1991 I was finally diagnosed with HepC, instead of nonA-nonB hepatitis. Genotype testing in Australia was not available at my Hospital until 1996, when I found I was Geno 1b. My doctor then told me that was the drug-user's Genotype and was hardest to treat with Interferon ( we didn't have Ribavirin then). He said Geno 1a was the transfusion Geno. and was more socially acceptable. What rubbish.

By all means keep looking, but you will find the structural difference between 3a and 3b is complicated but not significant, and there is no difference between severity of disease and response to treatment. Geno 2a and 2b are similar, but Geno 1b has very different non-structural elements to 1a giving it it's protection against mutant virus strains.   Forget about Pakistan.

Don`t worry about searching for it, Lisa, enjoy your herbal tea and relax!  Sometimes reading stuff online can just lead to more confusion!  These days genotypes and subtypes have spread world-wide so the country or part of the world where they originated isn`t relevant to us any more, apart from being slightly interesting from an academic point of view. 

I`m so sorry about your brother, and can well understand why it`s a sensitive subject for you.  It`s not your fault you have HCV and you`ll be ok.  Take care.  xx

Hi Lisa, HCV is a blood borne virus, whatever the genotype, and there are various ways to be infected, all involving blood to blood contact.   I don`t see how any one genotype in particular can be specific to intravenous drug users.   I haven`t come across that anywhere, and I really don`t think you should need to feel stigmatised by it.  Can you post a link? 

There doesn`t seem to be a lot of information about genotype 3b but I`m quite sure your doctor is right that it`s classified in exactly the same way as 3a.