Evaluation of Epidemiologic Peculiarities of HIV-Infection and Genotype Distribution of Hepatitis C Virus among People Living with HIV in Constituent Entities of the Far Eastern Federal District

Abstract

Relevance. Monitoring the genotypic diversity of the hepatitis C virus as well as its prevalence in the population, including in certain population groups, is an important public health task.Aim. To analyze main epidemiological indices (incidence and prevalence) among people living with HIV and evaluate abundance of chronic hepatitis C among them, reveal molecular-genetic distribution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) isolated from HIV-positive people living in the Far Eastern Federal district (FEFD) of the Russian Federation.Materials and methods: a retrospective epidemiological analysis including estimation of HIV-infection incidence and prevalence as well as percent of HIV-positive people suffering from chronic viral hepatitis C was conducted for nine constituent entities of the FEFD. Molecular genetic analysis included evaluation of 120 samples of serum positive for HCV RNA that was obtained from people diagnosed with HIV-infection. A type-specific commercial PCR test-kit as well as partial sequencing by Sanger of HCV NS5B gene (241 bp and 350 bp) were utilized in order to specify HCV genotypes.Results and discussion: in total 26.26% of people living with HIV were registered for regular medical examination due to chronic hepatitis C in the FEFD in year 2019. Their percentage has grown over a 5-year period. Dominant HCV subtype among surveyed HIV-positive people was subtype 3a followed by HCV subtype 1b. HCV genotype 2 and subtype 1a were detected less frequently and were identified as minor genotypes. Genotype distribution among people aged under 35 years was more significant in comparison with older citizens. Some regional particularities were discovered. For example, HCV genotype 2 was registered more frequently in the Khabarovsk krai compared to mean estimated value of the sampling collection. Subtype 1b was dominant in Republic Sakha (Yakutia).Conclusion: an increase in percent of HIVinfected people suffering from chronic hepatitis C has been noted during a 5-year period. Should be noted that the value varies in different constituent entities ofthe FEFD. Molecular-genetic analysis showed general prevalence of HCV 3a subtype while 1b HCV subtype is dominant in the Russian Federation in patients suffering from HCV-monoinfection as well as in those infected with HIV and HCV.