Epidemiological features of hepatitis B and C in the Arctic Region


DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/epidem.2019.9.1.81-92

Zalyalov B.A., Pimenov N.N., Komarova S.V., Karandashova I.V., Chulanov V.P.

1 Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Russian Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-Being, Moscow, Russia; 2 I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia
The data of domestic and foreign literature on the epidemiology of parenteral viral hepatitis among the population of the Arctic region are analyzed. High prevalence of HBsAg was shown in Alaska (3–23.1%), Greenland (3.3–29%) and the Canadian Arctic (3–4%) in the 1960–80s. In the Arctic territory of Russia in 1990–2000, a high incidence of hepatitis B virus infection was also detected (1.8–11.8%). Implementation of mass hepatitis B immunization programs in 1980–1990 led to a decrease in the incidence of hepatic cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma and mortality from them in subarctic countries. The incidence of hepatitis D virus among HBsAg-positive individuals in Greenland and the Arctic territory of Russia was more than 7%, while no infection was found in Alaska and in the Canadian Arctic. Antibodies to the hepatitis C virus were more often detected among the population of the Russian Arctic (0.9–2.9%) compared to the Arctic territories of other countries (less than 1%). In most Arctic regions, the prevalence of chronic viral hepatitis among the indigenous population is significantly higher than among the non-indigenous population. In some territories, the markers frequency among indigenous people differs by several times between neighboring areas and residential places. There are features of the distribution of virus genotypes in subarctic countries. The D genotype of the hepatitis B virus dominates in Russia and Alaska, the B genotype – in Canada and Greenland. Genotype 1b is the predominant hepatitis C virus genotype in the Russian Arctic (60%), whereas 1a – in Alaska and Canada (42 and 81%, respectively).
Keywords: indigenous people, northern first nations, tribe, Indians, Alaska, the Arctic region, Arctic zone, viral hepatitis
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About the Autors

Bulat A. Zalyalov, Resident, Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Russian Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-Being, Moscow, Russia, Russia; e-mail: mr.bulat6@gmail.com
Nikolay N. Pimenov, Junior Researcher, Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis, Department of Molecular Diagnostics and Epidemiology, Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Russian Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-Being, Moscow, Russia; e-mail: n.pimenov@mail.ru
Svetlana V. Komarova, Researcher, Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis, Department of Molecular Diagnostics and Epidemiology, Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Russian Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-Being, Moscow, Russia; e-mail: svetlana.komarova@pcr.ru
Inga V. Karandashova, Cand. Biol. Sci., Senior Researcher, Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis, Department of Molecular Diagnostics and Epidemiology, Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Russian Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-Being, Moscow, Russia; e-mail: inga.karadashova@pcr.ru
Vladimir P. Chulanov, MD, Head, Scientific Advisory Clinical Diagnostic Centre, Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Russian Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-Being; Professor, Department of Infectious Diseases, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia (Sechenovskiy University), Moscow, Russia; e-mail: vladimir.chulanov@rcvh.ru; ОRCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6303-9293


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