Healthcare workers are much more likely to be infected with HIV and hepatitis viruses compared to the general population. Although healthcare workers are more aware of HIV and hepatitis viruses, several countries in Africa lack a comprehensive grasp of disease routes and transmission risks. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of the serological and molecular biological markers of HIV and viral hepatitis among healthcare workers in the Republic of Guinea. The study material was 74 blood serum samples collected from healthcare workers who received additional training at the Institute of Applied Biological Research of Guinea (IRBAG, Kindia, Republic of Guinea). The markers examined included HBsAg, HBeAg, anti-HBs IgG, anti-HBcore IgG, anti-HCV qualitative determination, anti-HEV IgM and IgG, anti-HAV IgM and IgG, and anti-HIV. For viral DNA and RNA detection, nucleic acids were extracted from blood serum, and viral presence was inferred using real-time PCR with hybridization fluorescence detection. A high prevalence of viral hepatitis B markers was shown, and significantly fewer cases of viral hepatitis C and HIV were detected. Almost all examined medical workers had anti-HAV IgG antibodies, but no antibodies to hepatitis E virus. Apparently, the identified markers depend on the general prevalence of certain pathogens in the region and are associated with the traditions and characteristics of the country’s residents.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to be a global health challenge, with over 38 million people infected by the end of 2022. HIV-1, the predominant strain, primarily targets and depletes CD4+ T cells, leading to immunodeficiency and subsequent vulnerability to opportunistic infections. Despite the progress made in antiretroviral therapy (ART), drug resistance and treatment-related toxicity necessitate novel therapeutic strategies. This review delves into the intricate interplay between HIV-1 and host cellular proteins throughout the viral life cycle, highlighting key host factors that facilitate viral entry, replication, integration, and immune evasion. A focus is placed on actual findings regarding the preintegration complex, nuclear import, and the role of cellular cofactors such as FEZ1, BICD2, and NPC components in viral transport and genome integration. Additionally, the mechanisms of immune evasion via HIV-1 proteins Nef and Vpu, and their interaction with host MHC molecules and interferon signaling pathways, are explored. By examining these host–virus interactions, this review underscores the importance of host-targeted therapies in complementing ART, with a particular emphasis on the potential of genetic research and host protein stability in developing innovative treatments for HIV/AIDS.

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%).

Introduction. To achieve the goal of eliminating viral hepatitis by 2030, it is necessary to assess the real situation, improve epidemiological surveillance and prevention of these infections. Objectives: To evaluate the results of epidemiological surveillance of chronic viral hepatitis B, C, D and hepatocellular carcinoma in order to optimize the surveillance system at the regional level. Materials and methods: We analyzed the incidence of viral hepatitis B, C and liver cancer in the regions of the Northwestern and Central Federal Districts of the Russian Federation over the past 10 years. We also studied the prevalence of hepatitis B, C, D, and hepatitis C virus genotypes (6,020 cases), and examined 465 case histories of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in the Leningrad Region using techniques of epidemiological analysis, ELISA, PCR, and statistical methods. Results: We established a tendency towards a decrease in the incidence of chronic hepatitis B and C in all study areas. In 2020, high rates of hepatitis B (26.2 and 9.1) and hepatitis C (49.2 and 39.2) were registered in St. Petersburg and Moscow per 100,000 population, respectively. The prevalence of hepatitis D in the Leningrad Region was 6.3 per 100,000 population. Hepatitis C virus genotypes 1 and 3 prevailed (48.9 % and 43.9 %, respectively). A high incidence of liver cancer was established in St. Petersburg, the Pskov and Novgorod Regions. Conclusions: Our findings prove the efficiency of the surveillance system and prevention of chronic hepatitis B and C. The main objectives are to further reduce the incidence rate, screen all patients with chronic hepatitis B for hepatitis D, and use the results of molecular genetic studies and cancer registries for epidemiological surveillance purposes.

Introduction. The spread of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) has become a global concern and has approached the pandemic status. St. Petersburg, a major transportation, tourist, cultural, industrial center, and a border city, is characterized by high migration of the population. The growing number of migrants can contribute to importation and spread of new genetic variants of the virus and trigger recombination processes in the virus population in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region.The aim is to characterize the present-day HIV-1 subtype-specific profile and drug-resistance mutations among patients with virological failure on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the Leningrad Region.Materials and methods. The study performed in 2016–2018 was based on clinical material from HIV-infected individuals living in the Leningrad Region and having confirmed virological failure on ART. The genetic diversity and distribution of drug-resistance mutations of the HIV-1 isolates were assessed through analysis of nucleotide sequences of the virus pol gene fragment that included regions encoding protease and the reverse transcriptase region.Results. In the group (n = 138), most of the patients had sub-subtype A6 (97.4%) common in Russia, though a few patients had subtype B and a recombinant containing circulating recombinant form CRF_03AB and sub-subtype A1. The tests showed that 95.79% of patients had at least one significant drug-resistance mutation; in most cases (73%) the virus was resistant to 2 classes of antiretroviral drugs and in some cases (8%) — to 3 classes. A total of 105 different drug-resistance mutations were found at 35 positions of the virus genome.Conclusions. The high prevalence of HIV-1 drug-resistance mutations among ART patients with virological failure calls attention to surveillance of drug resistance of the virus both among ART-experienced patients and ARTnaïve individuals.