Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a significant global health concern, affecting millions of individuals worldwide. It is a bloodborne virus that primarily targets the liver, leading to chronic liver diseases such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. HCV is classified into several genotypes and subtypes, each with distinct geographic distributions and clinical implications. Among these, Genotype 4 is predominantly found in the Middle East and Central Africa .
HCV is an enveloped, single-stranded RNA virus belonging to the Flaviviridae family. The viral genome encodes a single polyprotein, which is processed into structural and non-structural proteins. The structural proteins include the core protein and envelope glycoproteins E1 and E2, while the non-structural proteins include NS2, NS3, NS4A, NS4B, NS5A, and NS5B .
Genotype-4 (HCV-G4) is one of the less studied genotypes but is highly prevalent in certain regions. It is associated with a higher rate of chronic infection and poses challenges in treatment due to its genetic variability. The development of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) has significantly improved the treatment outcomes for HCV-G4, but understanding its genetic makeup remains crucial for effective therapeutic strategies .
Recombinant HCV strains are formed through the recombination of genetic material from different HCV genotypes. These recombinants can arise naturally and may exhibit unique properties compared to their parent strains. Recombination events in HCV are relatively rare but have been documented in various studies. The identification of recombinant strains is essential for accurate genotyping and effective treatment planning .
The core protein of HCV plays a vital role in the virus’s life cycle, including viral assembly and immune modulation. Recombinant strains involving the core region of Genotype-4 have been identified, indicating the presence of mosaic genomes derived from different genotypes. These recombinants can complicate the genotyping process and may impact the virus’s behavior and response to treatment .