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The HIV-infection continues to be one of the most large-scale epidemics worldwide. Many techniques have been developed to detect this disease, but the Western blot based on the identification of specific viral proteins remains the most commonly used method that allows to monitor ongoing viral processes. Despite discussions regarding the criteria for a positive test assessment and selection of a minimum number of viral proteins to reliably interpret the data, a very few studies on the protein profiles in HIV-infected patients, particularly in the Russian Federation are available. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of HIV viral proteins in a group of people with newly diagnosed infections analyzing 2566 blood samples from individuals with newly diagnosed HIV infection for reference testing. The samples were assessed using ELISA and IHL techniques, followed by western blotting. Subsequently, the following viral proteins were analyzed to assess HIV life cycle and the predominance of its different stages: gp160, gp120, gp41, p55, p40, p24, p17, p66, p51, and p31. For comparison, gp110/120 was chosen as the reference protein due to its lowest prevalence frequency among allenvgene products comprising 96.06%. A significantly reduced prevalence frequency was found for several protein groups: GAG — p55 (80.91%), p40 (72.14%), nucleocapsid p18/17 (67.37%); POL proteins — p68/66 (89.57%), p52/51 (81.91%), p34/31 (86.02%). Significant differences in frequency of viral proteins between age and sex groups are shown. Hypotheses explaining the obtained data are presented. By aligning anti-viral protein antibody profile with the course of the infection and patient’s condition, it will be possible to identify patterns and take necessary measures for early diagnostics with extended results, such as duration of the infection, viral load, and disease severity.

Introduction. The problem of transfusion safety in relation to parenteral viral hepatitis still remains relevant. Viral hepatitis B (HB) remains the most common viral infection transmitted through transfusion procedures. One of the natural phases of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is occult hepatitis B infection (OBI), characterized by an undetectable HBsAg (regardless of the other serological markers content) in the presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in the liver tissue and an extremely low, up to undetectable, level of viral load in the blood. In the Republic of Guinea, as in most countries on the continent, the prevention of HBV transmission through transfusion is still based on HBsAg serological testing of donors only. In this connection, OBI remains as a potential threat to blood transfusion safety. Detection of HBV DNA is a reliable preventive measure against transmission of the virus from donors with HBsAg-negative HBV infection, especially in highly endemic regions. In this regard, the study was conducted to substantiate recommendations for improving blood safety against the background of significant HBV prevalence in the Republic of Guinea. The aim of the work was the evaluation of serological and molecular markers of HBV infection in blood donors in the Republic of Guinea. Material and methods. We examined 250 blood samples obtained from donors living in Conakry, Republic of Guinea. Samples were tested for the presence of serological (surface antigen, HBsAg; antibodies (ABs) to surface (anti-HBs IgG) and core (anti-HBc IgG) antigens) and molecular (DNA) markers of HBV infection. Results and discussion. The overall detection rate of hepatitis B markers was 83.2%; HBsAg was detected in 16.4% of all individuals. The high incidence of HBsAg in men (19.55%) compared to women (8.45%) was shown, the relative risk of HBV infection with the formation of HBsAg-positive chronic hepatitis B in males was also significantly higher. The prevalence of the HBV DNA in the study group was 30.4%, the OBI cases accounted for 15.6%. The prevalence of this form of the disease was shown in donors aged 30–49 years (24.78%), in the group of people younger than 30 years, the incidence was lower (8.73%), and at the age of over 50 years, OBI was not detected. Based on the phylogenetic analysis of 76 virus isolates, it was shown that genotype E prevails in the examined group (85.53%). Cases of pathogen DNA detection occurred in HBsAg-negative blood donors in the presence of anti-HBs IgG (n = 4), as well as in the simultaneous presence of ABs anti-HBs IgG and anti-HBc IgG (n = 7). The viral load exceeded 200 IU/ml in OBI samples. Escape mutations were detected by sequencing in each OBI sample, contributing to the virus escaping from diagnostic based on screening for HBsAg. Conclusion. Assessment of the prevalence viral hepatitis B markers in blood donors, determination of genotypes and clinically significant mutations of virus variants are necessary to ensure safe medical manipulations, control and prevention of the spread of this infectious agent.

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of serological and molecular biological markers of viral hepatitis B and C among apparently healthy residents of the Southern Vietnam. The study material was represented by 397 blood serum samples collected from apparently healthy residents of the Southern Vietnam. The ELISA examination for presence of HBV and HCV markers involved HBsAg, anti-HBs IgG, anti-HBcore IgG, and anti-HCV qualitative determination. For HBV DNA and HCV RNA detection, nucleic acids were extracted from serum blood, and a test for virus detection was carried out by real-time PCR with hybridization fluorescence detection. Amplification and subsequent sequencing of HBV and HCV were performed using nested PCR with paired overlapping primers jointly flanking the target regions. Analysis of the overall prevalence of serological markers showed that among the apparently healthy individuals anti-HBsAg and anti-HCV antibodies were detected in 12.3% (95% CI: 9.27–15.99%) and 3.27% (95% CI: 1.76–5.53%) of individuals, respectively. The prevalence of HBsAg in men (19.1%) significantly exceeded that of found in women (5.9%), χ2 = 14.688 with p = 0.0001, df = 1, calculated odds ratio OR = 3.751 (95% CI: 1.892–7.439). Among apparently healthy patients, taking into account HBsAg-positive and negative samples, HBV DNA was detected in 26.95% (95% CI: 22.65–31.6%). HBV phylogenetic analysis showed that subtype B4 prevalence comprised 64.49%. Subtypes C1 (14.95%), B2 (9.35%), C2 (6.54%), C3 (0.93%), and C5 (3.74%) were also identified. HCV RNA was detected in 7 samples, which accounted for 1.76% (95% CI: 0.71–3.6%). Phylogenetic analysis showed that all HCV isolates belong to genotype 6, subtype 6a (100%).

The aim of this study was to characterize mutations in the hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome associated with HBsAg-negative form of the disease in patients receiving hemodialysis replacement therapy. Materials and methods. We used blood plasma samples obtained from hemodialysis centers in St. Petersburg, Russia – 173 patients and 108 patients from Belgrade, Republic of Serbia. The samples were examined for the presence of serological (HBsAg, antibodies anti-HBs IgG, anti-HBcore IgG) and molecular-genetic (HBV DNA) markers of HBV followed by whole-genome sequencing and determination of clinically significant virus mutations. Results and discussion. Antibodies to hepatitis B were detected in 7.5 % and 11.1 % of patients from St. Petersburg and Belgrade, respectively. HBsAg was identified only in 1.1 % of cases in the group from Russia and in 0.9 % of cases in the group from Serbia. HBV DNA was determined in 2.8 % of the studied samples from both, patients from Saint-Petersburg and Belgrade. Phylogenetic analysis of 9 viral isolates showed that genotype D virus (88.9 %) prevailed as compared to genotype A (11.1 %) in the examined group. Among the samples obtained from patients from St. Petersburg, four belonged to the D2 sub-genotype, one to the D3 genotype. Four samples obtained from Belgrade patients belonged to different sub-genotypes – D1, D2, D3, A2, respectively. When analyzing the nucleotide sequences of the HBV genomes, mutations in the MHR region were detected in all cases, but only in HBsAg-negative isolates, mutations were revealed in the region of 124–147 amino acids, including mutations P120T, R122K, A128V, Q129R, M133I, G145R affecting the recognition of HBsAg by anti-HBs antibodies and associated with the resistance of the virus to the vaccine. The results of this study indicate that transmission of blood-borne viral hepatitis agent in the hemodialysis departments of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Serbia still exists. The prevalence of the latent chronic hepatitis B, coupled with the presence of vaccine escape mutations in all identified cases, indicates the need to pay close attention to the occurrence of the virus mutant variants in hemodialysis centers.

Aim: To study the hepatitis A (HAV) and hepatitis Е (HEV) prevalence in the Southern region of Vietnam based on the frequency analysis of the antibodies to hepatitis A and E viruses detection in the local population and groups at increased risk of infection.Materials and methods. Serological markers of enteral viral hepatitis were determined in blood serum samples from adults aged 18 to 65 years of three groups: conditionally healthy individuals (n = 397), HIV-infected (n = 316), and patients with chronic viral hepatitis (n = 268). The ELISA method was used for the qualitative detection of anti-HAV IgG, anti-HAV IgM, anti-HEV IgG, anti-HEV IgM.Results. When analyzing the prevalence of anti-HAV IgG in samples obtained from conditionally healthy, HIV-infected, and patients with chronic viral hepatitis, no differences were found between the groups. The incidence of anti-HAV IgG in the general group (n = 981) was 80.1%, in the absence of anti-HAV IgM. There were no gender-age differences in the frequency of anti-HAV IgG in the examined groups. Antibodies anti-HEV IgG in the groups of conditionally healthy, patients with chronic viral hepatitis, and HIV-infected were present in the samples in 36,2%, 33,2%, and 39,8% of cases, respectively. The prevalence of anti-HEV IgM in these groups was 3,27%, 4,1%, and 3,79%, respectively. In the general group (n = 981), anti-HEV IgG was detected in 36,6% of cases, anti-HEV IgM in 3,66%, which corresponds to the prevalence of antibodies to HEV in endemic regions.Conclusion. A high incidence of enteral viral hepatitis markers was shown in residents of South Vietnam, including the groups of conditionally healthy, patients with chronic viral hepatitis, and HIV-infected. There is an obvious need for further studies of the spread extent of hepatitis A and hepatitis E in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam using currently available highly sensitive diagnostic methods, including sequencing of the virus›s nucleotide sequences.

Introduction. Vaccination contributed to reduce the incidence of acute hepatitis B in the territories of the North-West Russia. The urgency of this problem remains due to the high incidence of chronic hepatitis B. This accounted for the need to develop a hepatitis B elimination program in the district discussed that was approved in 2013 by the head of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing. Objective is to characterize the results of the program for the elimination of acute hepatitis B virus implemented in the North-Western Federal District. Materials and methods. The 2010–2020 incidence rate of acute and chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in the regions of the North-West Russia was carried out. To determine HBV genotypes and subgenotypes, 160 blood plasma samples from patients with acute hepatitis B were studied using molecular genetic methods (PCR, sequencing). The prevalence of latent hepatitis B in various population groups was assessed. The 2016–2020 hepatitis B vaccination coverage and relevant serological monitoring in adults was carried out. Results. While implementing the program, it was found that the incidence rate of acute hepatitis B in the district decreased by 4.5-fold, revealing in 2020 no cases of the disease in 5 regions, with incidence rate in the 6 subfederal units being lower than 1.0 per 100,000 population. Moreover, the incidence rate for chronic hepatitis B decreased by 2.6 times. The 2020 vaccination coverage of children under 17 and adults in all territories comprised more than 95% and 90%, respectively. In addition, it was shown the circulation of genotypes D and A of hepatitis B virus is dominated by genotype D (91.8%), subgenotype D2 (47.8%). The prevalence of latent hepatitis B among migrants was 6.5%, pregnant women — 4.9%, hemodialysis patients — 1.7%. Conclusion. Implementation of the program on elimination of acute viral hepatitis B in the territory of the North-West Russia contributed to raise in the vaccination coverage in adult population and lowered incidence rate of acute and chronic HBV infection.

According to the WHO, there is an increase in the number of cases of dengue fever worldwide. In many countries, where dengue fever is an endemic disease, blood-borne infections associated with hepatitis B and C viruses and HIV are widespread. The Socialist Republic of Vietnam is an endemic region for these pathogens. The unique epidemiological situation in the country provides an excellent opportunity to study the interaction between Arboviruses, agents of parenteral viral hepatitis B and C, and HIV infection in the body of sick people.The aim of this review was to analyze the literature data on the detection of cases of simultaneous infection with Dengue viruses of 1–4 types and agents of blood-borne infections in sick people in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Despite the fact that the simultaneous circulation of these pathogens in the patient's body can affect the pathophysiological mechanisms of the disease development, there were very few works devoted to co-infection with Dengue viruses and HIV, hepatitis C or B viruses, including in the regions adjacent to Vietnam. Therefore, research in this direction is promising for both fundamental science and practical medicine.

Rationale. Countries of Africa, especially countries in sub-Saharan Africa, represent a region characterized by high incidence of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. Methods for detection of HBV and HCV in low and middle-income countries differ from those that are used in countries having access to high-cost technologies. The Republic of Guinea is a region with high prevalence of hepatotropic viruses, however, the information on HBV and HCV prevalence in the area is extremely limited, thus emphasizing the significance of this study.The purpose of the study is to evaluate the need for improving laboratory diagnostics of parenteral HBV and HCV infections in the Republic of Guinea.Materials and methods. A total of 2,616 samples of blood serum were tested, the samples were collected from apparently healthy residents of the Republic of Guinea during the routine medical checkup. The testing included qualitative detection of HBsAg, anti-HBs IgG, anti-HBcore IgG, anti-HCV IgG antibodies as well as HBV DNA and HCV RNA.Results. The detection frequency of serological markers of HBV and HCV infections was 80.77% and 18%, respectively. However, HBsAg was detected only in 16.01% of individuals. Tests for detection of HBV DNA were performed among seropositive patients and patients seronegative by other HBV markers, HBV DNA was detected in 22.36% of cases, including 6.07% of HBsAg-negative cases. HCV RNA was detected in 2.2% of cases. Both HCV RNA and HBV DNA were detected in 27 people, including 19 HBsAg-negative cases, thus accounting for 1.03% of the examined group.Conclusions. The markers that are currently used for laboratory detection of HBV and HCV in the Republic of Guinea are not efficient enough to diagnose reliably all cases. Undoubtedly, there is an urgent need to improve laboratory diagnostics for timely detection of parenteral viral hepatitis. Routine laboratory operations need assays for additional serological and molecular markers of HCV and HBV infections.

The aim of our work was to compare the HBV, HCV and HIV vertical transmission risk in the Republic of Guinea.Materials and methods. The material for the study was 305 blood plasma samples from pregnant women living in Conakry, Republic of Guinea. The samples were examined for the presence of serological (HBsAg, antibodies antiHBs IgG, anti-HBcore IgG, anti-HCV IgG, Ag/Ab-HIV) and molecular (HBV DNA, HCV RNA, HIV RNA) markers.Results and discussion. When assessing the overall prevalence of serological markers among patients, the incidence of HBV markers was 76.06 %. Antibodies to HCV were detected only in 1 case, which amounted to 0.32 %. HIV markers were detected in 3 cases, which amounted to 0.98 %. The prevalence of HBsAg in the group under examination significantly differed between the groups of pregnant women aged 13–19 years (17.33 %) and 20–24 years (12.12 %), p

Objective of our work was to assess prevalence of the primary HCV drug resistance mutations in the NS5b gene in patients with newly diagnosed HIV infection.Materials and methods. The study material was 196 blood plasma samples from patients living in the North-Western Federal District with newly diagnosed HIV. Samples were examined for the anti-HCV antibodies and HCV RNA presence. If HCV RNA was detected, amplification was performed using three primers pairs that co-flanked the NS5b gene. After sequencing the indicated gene nucleotide sequence, the virus subtype was determined and drug resistance mutations were detected.Results and discussion. Antibodies to HCV were detected in 18.87 % of HIV-infected individuals. HCV RNA was detected in 18.36 % of the patients, including 89.18 % anti-HCV-positive and 1.88 % anti-HCV-negative. It was shown that co-infection is more common in men (77.8 %) compared to women (22.2 %) – χ2 = 3.996 at p = 0.0456, df = 2. The difference in the HIV viral load between the groups with HIV monoinfection and with HIV + HCV coinfection was demonstrated (χ2 = 6.284 at p = 0.0432, df = 2). A significant difference between the groups by the CD4 + lyphocytes number was shown. In the phylogenetic analysis, the HCV subtypes are distributed as follows: HCV 1b – 47.2 %, HCV 3a – 30.6 %, HCV 1a – 13.9 %, HCV 2a – 5.5 % and only one sample was defined as HCV 2k – 2.8 %, respectively. Nine samples (25 %) presented NS5b mutations in the positions related to the development of drug resistance of HCV, including two samples among HCV genotypes 1a and 3a (i.e., 5.6 % of the total HIV + HCV group), as well as five samples among HCV 1b (13.9 % of the total group). Mutations among HCV 1a were C316Y and N444D substitutions. Among HCV 1b, C316N, C451S, S556N/G substitutions were identified. Among patients with HCV 3a, 2 samples (5.6 %) with a D310N mutation associated with an unfavorable disease prognosis were found. The introduction of direct sequencing of HCV nucleotide sequences into the routine laboratory diagnostics will allow us to estimate the primary drug resistance mutations prevalence in risk groups to predict the HCV life-threatening complications development – fibrosis, cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, as well as the outcome of antiviral therapy prognosis. The data obtained can be rationally used to assess the dynamics of the HCV primary pharmacoresistance prevalence among HIV-infected individuals.