Viral hepatitis C is a major public health problem worldwide. Despite the preventive measures and public awareness programs, the number of notified cases in the Czech Republic is increasing every year. The most important mode of transmission has become the injection illicit drug use. The extreme variability of HCV virus has epidemiologic, diagnostic and especially clinical implications. The goal of this study was to establish the frequency of particular HCV genotypes and subtypes in the Czech population as well as to compare them to the epidemiologic consequences of HCV infection and transmission. Demographic and epidemiologic parameters were correlated with HCV genotypes and subtype distribution. A total of 106 HCV patients’ serum samples were examined. Three genotypes (1, 2 and 3) were identified by the direct sequencing method applied to PCR products of 5NC and NS5b regions of the HCV genome. The most prevalent genotype in Prague and neighboring areas was genotype 1 (96 %). Subtype la was identified in 22.2%, subtype 1b in 73.7%, subtype 2b in 1% and subtype 3a in 3.3% cases. HCV 1b was the most prevalent subtype in this population regardless of risk factors.

        Key words: HCV – genotypes – injecting drug use