LAUSR

--------------------------------------------------------ABSTRACT----------------------------------------------------------The epidemic of Hepatitis C virus infection is continuously evolving in Albania such as in Europe. Until now the intravenous drug use has become the main risk factor for the HCV transmission, prevalent infections have increased and genotype distribution has changed and diversified. Meanwhile in Eastern European countries epidemiological data are limited such as in Albania. Through this study, we furnish more information about the prevalence of HCV virus genotypes in Albania. Methods: In this study we enrolled 174 subjects HCV RNA positive during the period 2007-2015 with an median age of 38.7 years old, from the Public Health Institute and National Blood Transfusion Centre, Albania. Results: The HCV virus genotype 1b is the most frequent with 35.6% (62/174). It’s important to mention that genotype 3 and 3a is more frequent among IDU (Intravenous drug users). Conclusions: Even though limited data, we noticed that HCV virus genotype 1b is the most frequent in Albania such as in other countries of Central-South Europe. Parenteral route of transmission of different subtypes of this virus in Albania is very evident, but further epidemiological studies are required.