Epidemiology and Genotype Distribution of Hepatitis C Virus in Russia

Abstract

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes both acute and chronic infection of the liver that can lead to liver cirrhosis, cancer, and liver failure. HCV is characterized by high genetic diversity and substantial variations in the prevalence of specific HCV genotypes throughout the world. Many effective regimens of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), including pan-genotypic, can successfully treat HCV infection. Additionally, genotype-specific treatments for HCV are being actively employed in national plans for eliminating HCV infection around the world. The evaluation of HCV genotype prevalence in a given country is necessary for the successful implementation of the HCV elimination plans and for allocating financial resources to the DAAs which are the most effective against those specific HCV genotypes prevalent in a given country. Here, we analyzed HCV genotypes, subgenotypes, and recombinants in 10,107 serum samples collected in 2015–2017 from patients with chronic HCV infection living in all federal districts of Russia. This is the first and largest evaluation of HCV genotypes performed on samples from all territories of Russia, from its Central federal district to the Far East. Moreover, we have updated retrospective epidemiological analysis of chronic and acute HCV infection in Russia from 2001 to 2021. We demonstrate that the incidence of acute HCV (AHC) infection in Russia decreased from 16.7 cases per 100,000 people in 2001 to 0.6/100,000 in 2021. The number of cases of chronic HCV (CHC) infection also decreased from 29.5 to 16.4 per 100,000 people during this period. The HCV genotype analysis indicated that HCV genotype 1 dominates in Russia (53.6%), while genotypes 3 and 2 were detected in 35.4% and 7.8% of patients, respectively. These proportions are virtually identical in all regions of Russia except for the Far East, where HCV genotype 2 was detected in only 1% of the samples. HCV genotypes 1 and 2 are more widespread in women, and HCV genotype 3 in men. Genotype 3 was the most prevalent in 31–40-year-olds (44.9%), and genotype 1 was most prevalent in those over 70 years of age (72.2%). HCV genotype 2 was predominant among HCV-infected persons older than 40 years. Discriminating between HCV genotype 2 and recombinant RF1_2k/1b, which are frequently misclassified, is important for successful antiviral treatment. For the first time, we demonstrate, here, countrywide prevalence of HCV RF1_2k/1b in different regions of Russia. HCV RF1_2k/1b makes up 3.2% of HCV genotypes, reaching 30% among samples classified as genotype 2 by some commercial genotyping tests. The highest proportion of HCV RF1_2k/1b was detected in the North-West (60%), Southern (41.6%), and Central (31.6%) federal districts; its frequency in the Far Eastern and North Caucasus districts was ~14.3%. HCV RF1_2k/1b, and it was not detected in the Volga, Ural, or Siberian districts. To conclude, this is the first and most complete evaluation of HCV epidemiology and genotype/subgenotype distribution in Russia.

Liver Insights: Probing Molecular Signatures of Hepatitis C Patients in Hospitals of Lahore- Navigating the Clinical Landscape of Viral Infection and Organ Profiling

“…The pathogenesis of Hepatitis C, a critical health concern, is characterized by the virus's entry and replication within hepatocytes, utilizing the host's cellular machinery to proliferate. This viral propagation elicits an immune response which, failing to clear the infection, leads to a chronic inflammatory state within the liver (16). The chronicity of inflammation is a precursor to liver fibrosis, as evidenced by collagen accumulation and hepatic stellate cell activation, which may ultimately progress to cirrhosis and increase the risk of liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma (8,13).…”

Association of Blood NK Cell Phenotype with the Severity of Liver Fibrosis in Patients with Chronic Viral Hepatitis C with Genotype 1 or 3

“…(3) oncological diseases; (4) genotypes 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 CVHC; (5) other chronic liver diseases of different etiologies (other viral hepatitis, opisthorchiasis, alcoholic liver disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, Wilson-Konovalov disease, hemochromatosis, autoimmune hepatitis, etc. ); (6) tuberculosis; (7) pregnancy; (8) serious chronic illnesses of various organs and systems; (9) narcotic drugs use; (10) patients who refused to take part in the study.…”

“…Despite advances in treatment, the problem of CVHC remains very relevant due to the remaining significant pool of patients [ 3 , 4 ]. The most common CVHC genotypes in Russia are the first (56.6%) and the third (35.4%) [ 5 ]. The question being debated is: in which genotype (1 or 3) does CHCV have a more aggressive course [ 6 ]?…”

Subpopulation composition of blood T-helpers in hepatitis C patients with genotype 1 or 3

“…Несмотря на успехи в лечении [3], проблема ХВГС остается для России весьма актуальной в связи с сохраняющимся значительным пулом больных [4]. Наиболее часто встречаю щимися генотипами ХВГС на территории России являются 1-й (56,6%) и 3-й (35,4%) [5]. Существует дискуссия о том, какой генотип, 1-й или 3-й, имеет более агрессивное течение ХВГС [6][7][8].…”