In conclusion, the finding of RF1_2k/1b in Central Asia indicates that the variant has wide geographic distribution. The PCR-based screening method developed in this study should be useful in further epidemiological and clinical studies on the recombination phenomenon in HCV.

Background & Aims The hepatitis B virus (HBV) is endemic in Uzbekistan but the medical impact of infection with the HBV‐dependent hepatitis D virus (HDV) is unknown in the Country. An Hepatology Center was recently established at the Institute of Virology in Tashkent, which has set up a database enlisting patients with chronic viral liver disorders from all over Uzbekistan; it provides an observatory on the current scenario of viral hepatitis in the Country. Methods The prevalence of HBV monoinfection, hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and HDV superinfection on hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)‐positive cirrhosis was determined in 6589 patients with viral cirrhosis collected in the last 3 years. Results Of 1089, 1150 and 1455 carriers of the HBsAg with cirrhosis recruited in 2016, 2017 and 2018, 834 (76.5%), 926 (80.5%) and 1224 (84%) respectively, had antibody to the HDV. In 2016, 2017 and 2018, the prevalence of HDV infection has been 41%, 45% and 49.1% respectively, largely exceeding the prevalence of HBV monoinfection (12.5%, 11% and 9.3% respectively) and surpassing the prevalence of HCV in 2017 and 2018 (44% and 41.5% respectively). The median age of the patients with HDV cirrhosis was 39 years, distinctly lower than that of HBV and HCV patients (46 and 55). Conclusions Superinfection with the HDV is present in over 80% of the HBsAg‐positive cirrhosis in Uzbekistan. The HDV appears to be the major cause of advanced viral liver disease and of juvenile cirrhosis in the Country.

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Известно, что темпы формирования цирроза печени (ЦП) у больных хроническим гепатитом В обусловлены скоростью прогрессии фиброза, связанной с выраженностью воспалительных изменений в ткани печени. С нарастанием длительности болезни тяжесть заболевания увеличивается. По лабораторным показателям трудно судить о тяжести болезни. Не было прямой связи между тяжестью болезни и вирусной нагрузкой. Наибольшие проблемы возникают при постановке диагноза в начальной стадии ЦП или в переходном периоде хронического вирусного гепатита в ЦП.

Liver cirrhosis (LC) should be considered as a severe, progressive disease with systemic manifestations. Early detection and elimination of risk factors for the development of LC complications are essential for improving the quality of life of patients. In order to study the clinical aspects of the initial stages of LC, we examined 207 patients with LC HBV and HDV etiology. The study of the characteristics of the initial manifestations of LC is necessary to identify predictors of the development of severe complications and prevent disability of patients.