Objective To investigate the distribution patterns of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes and their clinical characteristics in Qinghai Province, and to provide a theoretical basis for the elimination of hepatitis C in this region.

Methods A total of 527 hepatitis C patients from Qinghai Provincial Infectious Diseases Hospital from August 2023 to August 2024 were selected as the research subjects. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) sequencing was used to determine the HCV genotypes of the hepatitis C patients, and the distribution patterns of HCV genotypes and the clinical characteristics of different genotypes in this region were observed.

Results The 527 hepatitis C patients were mainly distributed in Xining City and Haidong City, with the majority being male patients aged between 48 and <60 years. A total of 4 genotypes and 7 subtypes were found, with genotype 2 being the most prevalent one (219 cases, 41.56%), followed by genotype 3 (173 cases, 32.83%), genotype 1 (131 cases, 24.86%) and genotype 6 (6 cases, 0.76%). There were statistically significant differences in gender, age, disease progression, population classification, residential address, transmission route, and liver inflammation indicators among different HCV subtypes (all P<0.05). Genotype 1 and genotype 2 accounted for a higher proportion in chronic hepatitis C patients under 40 years old, females, and transmitted through blood transfusions and invasive procedures, while genotype 3 were more common in male patients, aged ≥40 years old, those infected through intravenous drug use, and those were prone to progress to liver cirrhosis (mainly subtype 3b). Farmers, houseworkers and unemployed people were the main population groups in all genotypes. Compared with other genotypes, genotype 3 had higher levels of aspartate aminotransferase and alpha-fetoprotein and lower platelet counts, suggesting that the severity of the disease was related to different genotypes.

Conclusion Genotype 2 and genotype 3 are the main types in Qinghai Province. The composition ratio of genotype 3, which is mainly transmitted through intravenous drug use, is increasing and more likely to progress to liver cirrhosis. This highlights the need to focus on the prevention, treatment and management of genotype 3.