基因分型和血清分型丙型肝炎病毒
There are 6 known genotypes and more than 50 subtypes of hepatitis C. The genotype of infection is helpful in defining the epidemiology of hepatitis C. Knowing the genotype or serotype (genotype-specific antibodies) of HCV is helpful in making recommendations and counseling regarding therapy. 有6個已知基因和50多個亞型的丙型肝炎基因型感染是有助於確定的流行病學了解丙型肝炎基因型或血清型（基因型特異性抗體）的HCV有助於提出建議和諮詢有關治療。

Patients with genotypes 2 and 3 are almost three times more likely to respond to therapy with alpha interferon or the combination of alpha interferon and ribavirin. 患者基因型2和第3 ， 幾乎3倍以上 ， 以應對可能與α - 干擾素治療或結合α - 干擾素和病毒唑。 Furthermore, when using combination therapy, the recommended duration of treatment depends on the genotype. 此外，在使用綜合療法，建議治療時間取決於基因型。 For patients with genotypes 2 and 3, a 24-week course of combination treatment is adequate, whereas for patients with genotype 1, a 48-week course is recommended. 患者的基因型2和第3 ， 24週課程的綜合治療是適當的，而患者的基因型1 ， 48週的課程建議。 For these reasons, testing for HCV genotype is often clinically helpful. 由於這些原因，檢測丙型肝炎病毒基因型往往是臨床上的幫助。 Once the genotype is identified, it need not be tested again; genotypes do not change during the course of infection. 一旦基因被確定，它不必再測試;基因型不改變的過程中感染。