Final answer:
The common genotype of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) in Pakistan is genotype 3a, which is significant for tailoring treatment strategies to the specific genotype of the virus.
Step-by-step explanation:
The genotype of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) that is common in Pakistan is genotype 3a. HCV is a significant public health concern as it can lead to chronic liver diseases such as cirrhosis and liver cancer. In Pakistan, HCV genotype 3 is most prevalent, which has implications for treatment strategies since treatment can be tailored to the specific genotype causing the infection.
New medications such as simeprevir plus sofosbuvir and ombitasvir have shown great effectiveness in treating HCV, particularly when the genotype has been identified. However, despite advancements in treatment, the asymptomatic nature of the infection often leads to underdiagnosis and a larger-than-documented spread of the virus.