The incidence of chronic viral hepatitis and the analysis of the genetic diversity of hepatitis B and C viruses among the population of Khabarovsk city

Introduction. Evaluation of hepatitis virus genotypes diversity plays a significant role in analysis of epidemiological situation in particular territories which allows to trace possible routs of transmission, emergence and spread of new viral variants. The aim of the study is to evaluate dynamic of incidence of chronic forms of viral hepatitis B and C in the Khabarovsk krai during 2013-2023 and to perform analysis of genetic diversity of hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV and HCV) that were circulating in the Khabarovsk city. Materials and methods. A retrospective analysis of the incidence of chronic forms of hepatitis C in the Khabarovsk krai was conducted for the period from 2013 to 2023 (11 years) according to reports from the Office of Rospotrebnadzor in the Khabarovsk krai. Serological and molecular-genetic analysis of 112 blood plasma samples obtained from patients with diagnosis of “chronic viral hepatitis” residing in the Khabarovsk city was conducted. Results. The research showed that incidence of chronic viral hepatitis C has declined from 50.0 in 2013 to 44.6 cases per 100 thousand population in 2023 and incidence of chronic viral hepatitis B has also declined from 10.2 to 8.2 cases per 100 thousand population in the Khabarovsk krai respectively. HBV DNA was detected in 21 out of 36 blood plasma samples that contained serological markers of HBV. HBV genotype D was isolated in 15 out of 17 samples and was presented by two subtypes (D1, D2). Subtype A2 was identified in 2 samples. No mutations of drug resistance were found. HCV RNA was found in 58 out of 78 samples of blood plasma that were positive for antibodies (IgG + IgM) to HCV. Circulation of 1b, 1a, 3a, 2a, 2c HCV subtypes with predominance of 1b subtype was revealed in the Khabarovsk city. Conclusion. The incidence of chronic hepatitis B and C in the Khabarovsk krai during the 11-year follow-up period had a pronounced tendency to decrease. Results of the research complement existing data on circulation of HBV and HCV genetic variants in territories of the Russian Federation.