ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the characteristics of HCV genotypes of Han and Korean in Yanbian area of Jilin Province.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The HCV RNA load and genotypes of the 119 chronic hepatitis C patients in Yanbian area of Jilin Province were determined by real-time PCR and LiPA. The differences of the HCV genotypes in Han and Korean cases, in severity of the diseases, in HCV-RNA load, and in the relation with type 2 diabetes mellitus were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was no significant difference in the distribution of each HCV genotype between Han and Korean patients (P > 0.05) with chronic hepatitis C. The difference between HCV genotype and HCV-RNA load was not significant (P > 0.05). With and without type 2 diabetes mellitus in these patients. The distribution of HCV genotype was also not significantly different (P > 0.05). The type 1b of HCV genotype in the moderate to severe chronic hepatitis C patients accounted for 58.06%. It was different compared with mild chronic hepatitis C patients (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>1) The type 1b is the most popular HCV genotype in Yanbian area of Jilin Province, type 2a is the second and there are still a few other genotypes. 2) There is no significant difference in the distribution of HCV genotypes between Han and Korean cases. 3) The HCV genotypes has nothing to do with the load of HCV-RNA. 4) The distribution of HCV genotypes in chronic hepatitis C patients with and without diabetes mellitus is not significantly different. 5) Type 1b of HCV infection is relatively severe.</p>