Table_1_A novel candidate hepatitis C virus genotype 4 subtype identified by next generation sequencing full-genome characterization in a patient from Saudi Arabia.DOCX

Background and aimHepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major global public health concern, being a leading cause of chronic liver diseases such as chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The virus is classified into 8 genotypes and 93 subtypes, each displaying distinct geographic distributions. Genotype 4 is the most predominant in the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean and is associated with high rates of hepatitis C infection worldwide. This study used next-generation sequencing to fully characterize the HCV genome and identify a novel subtype within genotype 4 isolated from a 64-year-old Saudi man diagnosed with hepatitis C.
MethodsWe analyzed the complete genome of the 141-HCV isolate using whole-genome sequencing.
ResultsOur phylogenetic reconstructions, based on the entire genome of HCV-4 strains, revealed that the 141-HCV isolate formed a distinct group within the genotype 4 classification, providing valuable new insights into the variability of HCV.
ConclusionThis discovery of a previously unclassified HCV subtype within genotype 4 sheds light on the ongoing evolution and diversity of the virus. Such knowledge has significant implications for diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, as different subtypes may exhibit varying drug sensitivities and resistance profiles.

研究背景与目的：丙型肝炎病毒（Hepatitis C virus, HCV）感染是全球重大公共卫生关切问题，为慢性肝炎、肝硬化及肝细胞癌等慢性肝病的首要致病因素。该病毒可分为8个基因型与93个亚型，各亚型均具有独特的地理分布特征。基因型4在中东及东地中海地区最为流行，且与全球范围内丙型肝炎的高感染率密切相关。本研究采用下一代测序技术（next-generation sequencing），对1名确诊丙型肝炎的64岁沙特男性体内分离得到的基因型4毒株进行HCV基因组完整解析，并鉴定出一种新型亚型。

研究方法：本研究通过全基因组测序技术，对141-HCV分离株的完整基因组开展分析。

研究结果：基于HCV-4毒株全基因组的系统发育重建分析显示，141-HCV分离株在基因型4分类群中形成了独立分支，为HCV的病毒变异特性研究提供了极具价值的新视角。

研究结论：此次在基因型4中发现此前未被分类的HCV新型亚型，有助于阐明该病毒持续演化的过程与多样性特征。由于不同亚型的药物敏感性与耐药谱存在差异，该研究成果对丙型肝炎的诊断及治疗策略制定具有重要指导意义。