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The review presents information on the role of hepatitis B virus (Hepadnaviridae: Orthohepadnavirus: Hepatitis B virus) (HBV) X gene and the protein it encodes (X protein) in the pathogenesis of viral hepatitis B. The evolution of HBV from primordial to the modern version of hepadnaviruses (Hepadnaviridae), is outlined as a process that began about 407 million years ago and continues to the present. The results of scientific works of foreign researchers on the variety of the influence of X protein on the infectious process and its role in the mechanisms of carcinogenesis are summarized. The differences in the effect of the X protein on the course of the disease in patients of different ethnic groups with regard to HBV genotypes are described. The significance of determining the genetic variability of X gene as a fundamental characteristic of the virus that has significance for the assessment of risks of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) spread among the population of the Russian Federation is discussed.

The review provides information on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes encoding some interleukins belonging to the interleukin-1 (IL-1) superfamily and on their association with different infectious and non-infectious human diseases. It also briefs on the history of SNP discovery and the progress in the related scientific studies till the present time. It gives an insight into some mechanisms of interaction between infectious agents and the human immune system, involving SNPs in some cytokines of the IL-1 superfamily. The review provides data on relationships of SNPs in genes encoding other factors of the immune system, which are associated with the specific characteristics of natural history of chronic hepatitis B and C. It explores the significance of assessment of the SNP-proportion in proinflammatory cytokines and their antagonists of the IL-1 superfamily among the healthy population as well as the ratio of individual SNPs in specific groups of patients as a monitoring parameter for epidemiological surveillance of infectious diseases.

Relevance. Hepatitis B is a global problem of global and Russian public health due to its high prevalence and the possibility of forming a chronic form of the disease with the development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Aims. Assessment of the herd immunity to hepatitis B in the population of the Russian Federation in 2017‒2019.Materials and methods. The research was carried out at the Central Institute of Epidemiology within the framework of a large-scale program to assess herd immunity to hepatitis B in the population of the Russian Federation. The results of studies for the presence of anti-HBs in various subjects of the Russian Federation in 2017 to 2019, which were performed in accordance with MU 3.1.2943-11, were analyzed. Additionally, as a reference study in 2020, a survey of donors in Moscow (n = 427) was conducted for the presence of anti-HBs. Standard methods of descriptive statistics Microsoft Excel and STATISTICA 12.0 (StatSoft, USA) were used for statistical processing. The mean values were estimated taking into account the 95% confidence interval [95% CI] (according to the Klopper-Pearson method (exact method).Results. The average annual values of the proportion of persons with protective immunity against hepatitis B for 2017, 2018 and 2019 were 70.03%, 67.95% and 66.36%, respectively. Significant differences were revealed in the average values of the proportion of persons with a protective level of anti-HBs in the Federal Districts (FD): higher than the average Russian indicators were found in the Northwestern (74.2%), Southern (71.0%) and Far Eastern FD (70.7%). In 44 subjects of the Russian Federation during the observation period, the proportion of persons with protective immunity against hepatitis B was less than 60%.Conclusion. The necessity of optimizing the system of serological monitoring of post-vaccination immunity against hepatitis B is substantiated, which will increase the effectiveness of preventive measures nationwide

Aim. The aim of this study is to compare the prevalence of HIV infection in patients of large multidisciplinary hospitals in providing emergency and planned medical care and to evaluate the value of the long-term dynamics of this indicator as a quantitative characteristic of the epidemic process of HIV infection. Materials and methods. We retrospectively analyzed the results of examination for HIV infection of patients in the Sklifosovsky Research Institute for Emergency Medicine (RIEM) and Moscow Regional Research Clinical Institute (MONIKI) from 2008 to 2017. Long-term dynamics of the prevalence HIV infection were analyzed by using linear regression analysis. The intensity of trends (growth/decline) was assessed by the criteria proposed by V. D. Belyakov et al. (1981). Results. We examined for HIV infection 251 213 and 165 194 people in the research RIEM and MONIKI, respectively. For decade, the number of hospitalizations of HIV-infected patients to RIEM increased by 1.7 times, to MONIKI by 3.1 times. Prevalence of HIV infection in the patients of RIEM exceeded MONIKI ones from 3,2 to 6,0 times. At the same time, MONIKI showed a statistically significant trend towards an increase in hospitalizations of HIV-infected citizens (R2=0,8049, p=0,0004) with a pronounced average annual growth rate of 9,6% per year. Conclusion. We obtained results indicates a tendency to increase the number of recourses HIV-infected persons to general hospitals inMoscow andMoscow region. The most significant average annual increase in the prevalence over a decade period were recorded in the intensive care (+14.2%) and surgical (+9.8%) departments of MONIKI. Indicator groups of high risk of HIV infection in theMoscow region should be considered patients with urgent surgical pathology, acute exogenous poisoning of chemical etiology, as well as persons suffering from mental disorders.

The aim of the study was to determine the role of foreign citizens registered in Moscow region, in the maintenance of the epidemic process of measles, rubella and mumps based on the basis of their susceptibility to these infections and compare with the control group (residents of the Russia Central Federal District - donors of blood). Materials and methods. Examination included 909 samples of blood sera obtained from migrant workers and 939 blood donors (residents of the Central Federal district of Russia) which were tested for the presence of antibodies (IgG) to measles, rubella and mumps with the help of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results. Average relative density of seronegative persons among the surveyed migrants and donors to rubella virus ranged from 6.6 to 9.8%, the measles virus - 13.5 and 16.5%, respectively, statistically significant distinctions in groups were not established. The proportion of seronegative persons to mumps virus twice and more exceeded the standard documentation level among migrants and donors (32.5 and 47.5% respectively). Conclusion. There was a significant excess of the permissible level of seronegative persons to the measles, rubella and mumps viruses among migrant workers and blood donors, which creates preconditions for maintenance of epidemic process and dictates the necessity of carrying out the corrective vaccination (or revaccination) of non-immune persons

Protein p27/p25 is a product of HIV nef gene and is a multifunctional factor of HIV pathogenicity. Antigenic properties of recombinant NEF polypeptide which includes N-terminal fragment of HIV-1 p27 protein fused to E. coli ß-galactosidase were studied by serological and virological methods. The interaction was shown between recombinant NEF antigen and serums of HIV-positive individuals by ELISA, Western blot and line immunoassay. There was no interaction with sera of healthy individuals. The antigen specificity of recombinant antigen was shown in the reactions with commercial HIV-1 p27/p25 protein analog and with polyclonal antibodies to synthetic peptides corresponding to N-, C-terminal regions of HIV-1 p27/p25 protein. The interaction between IgG of rabbits immunized with recombinant NEF antigen and viral antigens was shown by indirect immunofluorescence and neutralizing assays. Thus it was proven the possibility of using recombinant NEF protein as an antigen for diagnostic and experimental purposes.

The structure of HCV genotypes/subtypes and dynamics of its changes in a cohort of adult patients with chronic hepatitis C (n = 17229) was studied during 2008-2015 in the Moscow region. The prevalence of subtypes 1b and 3A HCV, whose relative density have made 47.5% (95%CI 46.8 - 48.3%) and 39.4% (95% CI 38.7 - 40.2 per cent) respectively was revealed. The average proportion of subtype 1A HCV was 5.4% (95%CI of 5.1 - 5.8%) and genotype 2 - 7.2% (95% CI 6,8 - 7,6%). It was established that the dynamics of 1b subtype HCV relative density was characterized by a moderate decline rate of 1.3% per year, while the proportion of subtype 3A HCV increased (+2.9% per year). The differences in the ratio of subtypes 1b and 3A HCV were revealed when dividing the patients by gender. The subtype 1b HCV was more frequently identified in women during the observation period. In the cohort of male patients a shift of the leading HCV subtype was detected - since 2010, the 3A subtype HCV was identified with a higher frequency than subtype 1b HCV. It was shown that in patients under 30 years the proportion of subtype 3A HCV was higher than in the age group older than 30 years, regardless of gender.

Background: The beginning of a new era of direct acting antivirals sets up its own rules, that is, to achieve the highest efficacy with the shortest duration of treatment. It is assumed that the use of the first generation of direct acting antivirals, similarly to interferon-free regimens, would allow for personalization of approaches to their prescriptions.Aim: To identify the most important parameters that can predict the greatest efficacy of triple antiviral therapy of 12 week duration in patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 1.Materials and methods: The study included 204 patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 at an early stage of liver disease (METAVIR score F0-F2), who were either treatment-naive or had a history of relapse after standard of care antiviral therapy. In addition to routine work-up, all patients were screened for IL28B polymorphism; in the course of the treatment viral kinetics was assessed by an ultrasensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (with lower limit of quantification of 12 IU/ml). Duration of the triple therapy (pegylated interferon-α2a, ribavirin and telaprevir) was reduced to 12 weeks if a rapid virological response was achieved; otherwise the patients continued their treatment in according with guidelines. Results: A complete rapid virological response was achieved in 174 patients (81.6%), in whom the duration of triple therapy was 12 weeks. According to the protocol, 25 patients with a partial rapid virological response continued their standard antiviral therapy for 12 weeks more. In those who achieved a rapid virological response, there was an association between IL28B-CC genotype at rs12979860 and maintenance of zero viremia at 12 weeks after termination of antiviral therapy (r = 0.38, p < 0.001). In all such patients there was a stable virological response at 12 weeks of the follow-up. Monitoring of viral load after 14 days of antiviral treatment was not predictive of its success. The preliminary results of a shortened (12 week) course of triple telaprevir-based viral therapy allowed to identify the most significant parameters of 100% efficacy, i.e., absence of the virus in blood at 12 weeks after termination of antiviral therapy. Conclusion: A 12 week course of triple telaprevir-based combination therapy is an optimal regimen for achievement of a stable virological response after 12 weeks of the follow-up in treatment-naïve patients with HCV genotype 1 or with a relapse after previous conventional antiviral treatment, who have IL28B – CC polymorphism, are at an early stage of liver disease and who achieve a rapid complete virological response confirmed by a highly sensitive PCR.