A Multicentre Cross-Sectional Study on Hepatitis C Virus Genotypic Diversity among Hemodialysis Patients

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains a significant public health challenge, particularly among hemodialysis patients, who are at increased risk due to frequent exposure to blood products and potentially contaminated medical equipment. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, genotypic distribution, and associated risk factors of HCV infection among hemodialysis patients in Southern India. A prospective, multi-center observational study was conducted over two years (January 2022 to December 2023) across several tertiary care centers in the region. A total of 340 hemodialysis patients were enrolled. Blood samples were collected and tested for HCV using ELISA, RT-PCR, and genotyping. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was employed for untypable samples. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. The prevalence of HCV infection was 17.35% (59/340). Genotype 1a was the most common (54.2%), followed by genotype 1b (20.3%) and genotype 3 (8.5%). NGS resolved 90% of untypable samples, identifying them as genotypes 1a and 1b. Prolonged hemodialysis duration (>3 years), multiple blood transfusions, and comorbidities such as diabetes and hypertension were significant risk factors for HCV infection. This study highlights the high burden of HCV among hemodialysis patients in Southern India, emphasizing the need for advanced diagnostics, robust infection control, and targeted preventive strategies.