Abstract: Objective To explore genotype distribution and clinical significance of HCV in Taiyuan region. Methods To amplify 5’ UTR of HCV RNA in 62 patients using RT-nested-PCR,to cut 5’UTR fragment into different length clips by using incision enzyme HaeⅢ and Bsh1236Ⅰ. Results In 62 patients with hepatitis C,43 cases were infected with genotype 1b,9 cases were infected with genotype 2a,5 cases was 1b/2a mixed-type,1 case was type 1a,1 case was type 3a,and 3 cases were not tested. The patients with 1b genotype were more serious than the patients with non-genotype 1b in the hepatic function and liver fatty degeneration. Conclusion In this locality hepatitis C were dominated by genotype 1b，and the pathogenetic condition of genotype 1b patients more serious than non-genotype 1b patients. HCV genotypes 1b accounted for 69.4% of HCV infections in patients from this geographical region. HCV genotype 1b was associated with more serious clinical performance.

Key words: hepatitis C virus, Genotype, RFLP