Aim. To determine the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in different age groups of the conditionally healthy population of Russia.Materials and methods. Total 4764 serum samples from a conditionally healthy population of five regions of Russia (Moscow, Rostov, Sverdlovsk regions, Tyva Republic, and Sakha Republic (Yakutia) were tested. The study included persons of 10 age groups: < 1 year, 1–4 years, 5–9 years, 10–14 years, 15–19 years, 20–29 years, 30–39 years, 40–49 years, 50–59 years old, ≥ 60 years. Anti-HCV was determined in ELISA with commercial test systems. Anti-HCV positive samples were tested for HCV RNA by RT-PCR. The genotype of HCV was determined based on the analysis of the nucleotide sequences of the core and NS5B regions of the viral genome.Results. The overall prevalence of anti-HCV in 5 regions of Russia was 2,6% (126/4764), and the proportion of people with HCV RNA was 1,1% (50/4764). The highest anti-HCV positivity rate was observed in Tyva and Yakutia (3,3% in both regions), in other regions its prevalence varied from 1,7% (Moscow region) to 3,0% (Sverdlovsk region). The highest frequency of HCV RNA detection was observerd in Tyva Republic and Rostov region (1.3% in both regions). No positive for HCV RNA cases was detected among persons aged 0–19 years in any region, except for Tyva Republic (1,0% (1/98) in age group 15–19 years). Peak positivity rates of HCV RNA were detected in the age groups 20–29 years and 30–39 years in the Rostov Region (3,9% and 3,0%, respectively); in Yakutia – in the group of 30–39 years (3,7%), in Tyva – in the group of 40–49 years (3,6%), in the Moscow region – in the groups of 20–29 and 30–39 years (2,9% and 2,5%, respectively).Conclusion. The results obtained indicate a high degree of HCV infection in virtually all age groups in the interval from 20 years to ≥60 years. Specific age cohorts that might benefit from inclusion in regional HCV screening programs were identified in each region.

Aim. Determine the prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) among conditionally healthy population of Russian Federation. Materials and methods. Sera samples obtained from conditionally healthy population of the Russian Federation from 5 geographically distant regions with different levels of morbidity for hepatitis C were studied: Sverdlovsk, Rostov, Moscow regions, Tyva and Sakha (Yakutia) Republics. 4764 samples were studied in total obtained from individuals of 10 age groups: younger than 1, 1 - 4, 5 - 9, 10 - 14,15 - 19, 20 - 29, 30 - 39, 40 - 49,50 - 59, olderthan 60 years. Anti-HCV were determined by commercial ELISA. Results. The total prevalence of anti-HCV in 5 regions of Russian Federation was 2.6% (126/4764). The highest frequency of detection of anti-HCV was detected in Tyva and Yakutia Republics and was 3.3%, in other regions this parameter varied from 1,7 (Moscow region) to 3% in Sverdlovsk region. Peak parameters of anti-HCV detection among population in various regions were connected with various age groups: olderthan 60 years in Tyva and Yakutia Republics (11 and 9.9%, respectively), 40 - 49 in Moscow region (6.2%), 1 - 4 and 30 - 39 years in Sverdlovsk region (5.9 and 4.9%, respectively) and 20 - 39 in Rostov region (3.9%). Conclusion. Results of anti-HCV detection in various age cohorts of conditionally healthy population of Russian Federation give evidence regarding high morbidity with HCV of almost all the age groups in the interval from 20 to older than 60 years. Age cohorts were detected in each of the studied regions for which inclusion into regional screening programs is feasible.

Aim. To determine the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in different age groups of the conditionally healthy population of Russia. Materials and methods. Total 4764 serum samples from a conditionally healthy population of five regions of Russia (Moscow, Rostov, Sverdlovsk regions, Tyva Republic, and Sakha Republic (Yakutia) were tested. The study included persons of 10 age groups: < 1 year, 1–4 years, 5–9 years, 10–14 years, 15–19 years, 20–29 years, 30–39 years, 40–49 years, 50–59 years old, ≥ 60 years. Anti-HCV was determined in ELISA with commercial test systems. Anti-HCV positive samples were tested for HCV RNA by RT-PCR. The genotype of HCV was determined based on the analysis of the nucleotide sequences of the core and NS5B regions of the viral genome. Results. The overall prevalence of anti-HCV in 5 regions of Russia was 2,6% (126/4764), and the proportion of people with HCV RNA was 1,1% (50/4764). The highest anti-HCV positivity rate was observed in Tyva and Yakutia (3,3% in both regions), in other regions its prevalence varied from 1,7% (Moscow region) to 3,0% (Sverdlovsk region). The highest frequency of HCV RNA detection was observerd in Tyva Republic and Rostov region (1.3% in both regions). No positive for HCV RNA cases was detected among persons aged 0–19 years in any region, except for Tyva Republic (1,0% (1/98) in age group 15–19 years). Peak positivity rates of HCV RNA were detected in the age groups 20–29 years and 30–39 years in the Rostov Region (3,9% and 3,0%, respectively); in Yakutia – in the group of 30–39 years (3,7%), in Tyva – in the group of 40–49 years (3,6%), in the Moscow region – in the groups of 20–29 and 30–39 years (2,9% and 2,5%, respectively). Conclusion. The results obtained indicate a high degree of HCV infection in virtually all age groups in the interval from 20 years to ≥60 years. Specific age cohorts that might benefit from inclusion in regional HCV screening programs were identified in each region.

Data about efficacy of conducting of routine vaccination of children against Hepatitis A are presented in the article. The results of realization such strategy of vaccine prevention of Hepatitis A in selected regions of Russian Federation are evaluated. The perspectives of using this experience in other regions of the country is discussed.

The article presents data on effectiveness of routine vaccination against hepatitis A in children. The results of program of specific prophylaxis of hepatitis A in several regions of Russian Federation are analyzed. Perspectives of implementation of obtained experience are discussed.Key words: children, hepatitis A, routine vaccination, regional vaccination calendars.(Voprosy sovremennoi pediatrii — Current Pediatrics. 2010;9(6):123-126)