What is genotype in HCV?
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A genotype is a way to put the hepatitis C virus (HCV) into categories based on similar genes. It’s important to know and understand HCV genotypes because different genotypes respond differently to medicines that treat and cure HCV. HCV has six genotypes, labeled 1 through 6.
Is HCV genotype 1a curable?
One of these drugs is sofosbuvir. With PEG/ribavirin treatment alone, genotype 1 HCV used to require the longest duration of treatment with the least likelihood of success. With sofosbuvir, genotype 1 is now curable in more than 95 percent of people treated for only 12 weeks.
Which medication is only approved for genotype 1 treatment of HCV?

Ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (400 mg sofosbuvir/90 mg ledipasvir co-formulated in a single tablet) was approved by the FDA in October 2014 for the treatment of genotype 1 infection.
What does genotype 1b mean?
Conclusion: HCV genotype 1b is associated with a statistically significant higher risk of developing HCC. Patients with cirrhosis that are infected with this genotype require more intensive surveillance for the early detection and aggressive management of neoplasia.
Why is HCV genotyping important?
Genotyping is more significant for planning of HCV treatment period and helps to cure HCV infections. For the quantification and identification of hepatitis C virus-ribonucleic acid, many molecular techniques are performed; the most significant are HCV ELISA, quantitative HCV-RNA PCR and recombinant immunoblot assay.

What does genotype 1 mean?
The major HCV genotype worldwide is genotype 1, which accounts for 40%-80% of all isolates. Genotype 1 also may be associated with more severe liver disease and a higher risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. Genotypes 1a and 1b are prevalent in the United States, whereas in other countries, genotype 1a is less frequent.
What is the treatment for hep C genotype 1a?
For initial therapy of HCV genotype 1a infection in adults who have compensated cirrhosis, three 12-week regimens with similar efficacy are recommended: elbasvir-grazoprevir (if no key resistance-associated substitutions are detected on pretreatment NS5A testing); ledipasvir-sofosbuvir; or sofosbuvir-velpatasvir.