NCM 2022: Identification of resistance mutations to direct-acting antiviral agents against HCV in infected subjects in Mexico

Death due to liver damage caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV) represents one of the most frequent health threats in Mexico. Direct-acting antiviral agents are available; nevertheless, HCV has gained mutations that hinder their antiviral effect. The aim of this study was to identify resistance-associated substitutions in HCV from Mexico. We evaluated subjects with hepatitis C who sought medical care in Monterrey, Mexico from May 2016 to August 2019. We extracted RNA and amplified the whole genome of HCV using tiled-PCR. Amplicons were sequenced with MinION. The phylogenetic analysis of the complete genome showed that sequences from Mexico were related to viruses isolated in United States of America, Indonesia, and Japan. We detected one virus with resistance to daclatasvir, and probable resistance to ledipasvir and velpatasvir.