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Published on: April 17, 2017
Molecular epidemiology of the hepatitis C virus in Western Siberia
A V Shustov1, G V Kochneva, G F Sivolobova
1State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology Vector, Koltsovo, Novosibirsk region, Russia. avshusto@utmb.edu
Insights
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is prevalent in Western Siberia, with genotypes 1b and 3a being most common. Intravenous drug use and multiple sexual partners are significant risk factors.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Western Siberia lacks comprehensive data on Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection prevalence, genotypic diversity, and associated risk factors.
- Understanding these epidemiological aspects is crucial for targeted prevention and control strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and genotypic distribution of HCV infection in Western Siberia.
- To identify key risk factors associated with HCV transmission in the region.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional molecular epidemiological survey involving 2000 participants across four distinct groups.
- HCV infection was assessed using anti-HCV IgG testing and HCV RNA detection.
- Genotyping of HCV isolates was performed via direct sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the 5'-UTR and NS5B regions.
Main Results:
- HCV prevalence varied significantly across groups, with the highest in a narcological center (48.0%) and AIDS center (35.8%).
- Genotypes 1b (50.3%) and 3a (44.8%) were predominant, showing an intermediate diversity between European Russia and China.
- Significant risk factors included intravenous drug use (OR=77.5), unemployment (OR=16.3), multiple sexual partners (OR=4.3), and male homosexual activity (OR=6.6).
- Genotype 1 was more prevalent in older individuals, while genotype 3 was more common in younger populations.
Conclusions:
- HCV infection poses a significant public health challenge in Western Siberia, particularly among specific risk groups.
- The identified genotypic distribution and risk factors provide essential insights for developing effective public health interventions and prevention programs tailored to the region.
Abstract:
Western Siberia is the region with little information on the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, genotypic diversity of HCV isolates and risk factors. A molecular epidemiological survey was conducted to clarify these issues. Four groups of volunteers were included in a cross-sectional study (n = 500 in each group): health care workers; daycare patients from a hospital for drug users, daycare patients from an AIDS prevention and control center; and persons admitted to a local general practice clinic for any reason (outpatients). The anti-HCV IgG prevalence was 4.6% in health care workers, 48.0% in a narcological center, 35.8% in AIDS center, and 5.6% in outpatients. HCV RNA was found in 79.3%-86.3% of seropositives. A total of 388 HCV isolates were genotyped by direct sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the 5'-UTR and NS5B regions of HCV genome. The genotypes distribution was: 1b--50.3%, 2a--4.4%, 2c--0.3%, 3a--44.8%. One isolate (0.3%) could not be typed unambiguously. This genotypic diversity is intermediate between that of European Russia and China. Genotype 1 prevailed in an older age group (75% among 51-60 years old), and genotype 3 was most prevalent in young people (51.4% in 16-20 years old). A statistically significant (P < 0.05) increase in risk was found in intravenous drug users (odds ratio (OR) = 77.5), unemployed persons (OR = 16.3), persons having >4 sexual partners during lifetime (OR = 4.3), and male homosexuals (OR = 6.6).
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