The Changing Epidemiology of Viral Hepatitis in a Post-Soviet Country—The Case of Kyrgyzstan

• DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12080989
• Publication Date: 2023-07-28T11:58:52Z
• Authors: Manas K. Akmatov; Nurgul J. Beisheeva; Asylbek Z. Nurmatov; Sattarova J. Guls...; Kylychbekova N. S...; Aisuluu A. Derken...; Zamira O. Abdrahm...; Jana Prokein; Norman Klopp; Thomas Illig; Omor T. Kasymov; Zuridin S. Nurmatov; Frank Pessler
• Keywords: Seroprevalence; Viral Hepatitis; Cross-sectional study

Historically, viral hepatitis has been a considerable public health problem in Central Asian countries, which may have worsened after the dissolution of Soviet Union. However, up-to-date seroepidemiological studies are lacking. The aim present study was, therefore, to provide current estimates seroprevalence Kyrgyzstan, one economically least developed countries region. We conducted population-based cross-sectional 2018 capital Bishkek (n = 1075). Participants, children and adults, were recruited from an outpatient clinic. data collected during face-to-face interviews. A blood sample (6 mL) was each participant tested with ELISA for presence serological markers five hepatitides (A, B, C, D, E). Post-stratification weighing performed obtain nationally representative findings. overwhelming majority participants positive anti-HAV (estimated seroprevalence, 75.3%; 95% confidence interval, 72.5-77.9%). weighted HBsAg, anti-HCV, anti-HDV 2.2% (1.5-3.3%), 3.8% (2.8-5.1%), 0.40% (0.15-1.01%), respectively. Anti-HEV seropositivity 3.3% (2.4-4.5%). Of 33 HBsAg-positive participants, (15%) anti-HDV-positive. Our confirms that Kyrgyzstan remains highly endemic country virus C infections. seroprevalences HBV HDV lower than previously reported, based on these data, could potentially be reclassified high (lower) intermediate endemicity. observed anti-HEV resembles low endemicity pattern characteristic high-income countries.