There have been a few reports on the treatment of patients infected with recombinant hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 2/1 strains with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). We experienced three patients, with genotype 2/1 recombinant HCV, treated with DAAs successfully. The first, a 39-year-old man, was infected with recombinant HCV genotype 2a/1b, a rare variant. The sequence of the relapsed virus showed chimeric HCV 2a/1b with the recombinant breakpoint found at nucleotide +49 from the start of the NS3 region. Sofosbuvir plus ribavirin, a regimen recommended for HCV genotype 2, did not lead to a sustained viral response (SVR). Retreatment with grazoprevir plus elbasvir resulted in an SVR. The second case, a 70-year-old woman, was infected with recombinant HCV genotype 2b/1b. DAA therapy with sofosbuvir plus ledipasvir resulted in an SVR. The third case, a 48-year-old woman, was also infected with recombinant HCV genotype 2b/1b. DAA therapy with daclatasvir plus asunaprevir resulted in an SVR. The baseline sequences of the viruses from both the second and third cases showed chimeric HCV 2b/1b with the recombinant breakpoint found at nucleotide +10 from the NS3 start. We report three cases with 2/1 chimeras and discuss the prevalence and response to therapy.
Keywords: Chimeric HCV; Direct-acting antivirals; HCV genotype 2/1.