Viral hepatitis in the Arctic. A review from a Circumpolar Workshop on Viral hepatitis, ICCH13.

This article is a review of the viral hepatitis workshop, held during the 13th International Congress of the Circumpolar Health consists of a review of data on viral hepatitis in the Arctic territories of four countries: Canada, Greenland, Russia and United States (Alaska). The main purpose of the workshop was to exchange knowledge on viral hepatitis in the Arctic and identify further needs for collaborative hepatitis research, which is planned to be implemented through the established Viral Hepatitis Working Group in the Arctic. The review is based on the available published research results, surveillance data and professional opinions of the authors. The information is presented by Arctic country. Viral hepatitis constitutes an important problem among Aboriginal peoples of the Arctic; the incidence of most types of viral hepatitis is higher among indigenous populations than in the general public. However, due to differences in the available information from each of the four Arctic countries, it is difficult to compare differences in types of disease in them. The main areas for future research are: HBV genotypes distribution, relations between different types of HBV, HCV and disease outcomes, HBV mutation rate and specific substitutions in the HBV genome over time in the Arctic, and occurrence of active liver disease in HBsAg carriers living in the Arctic, as well as further research in viral hepatitis A, C, D and E.

Incidence of viral hepatitis B and vaccination in the Arkhangelsk region, Russian Federation.

INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis B (HB) incidence in Russia decreased from 36.6 in 1997 to 19.8 per 100,000 population in 2002. Despite this fact, there is an increasing transmission rate among young adults. STUDY DESIGN: Survey of official epidemiological surveillance data from 1997 to 2002 and results of serological screening of the population in the Arkhangelsk region are represented. METHODS: Incidence of HB was compared and age-specific analysis was performed during the survey period. Immunofluorescent method was used to determine HB carriage status. RESULTS: From 1997 to 2002, incidence of HB increased from 11.3 to 12.1 per 100,000. Young adults between 15 and 29 years old were the most affected group in 2001 (more than 60% of all cases). The leading route of transmission in this group was intravenous one. Vaccination of newborns resulted in decrease of HB incidence among children under 14 years from 8.7 in 1997 to 4.5 per 100,000 in 2002. Serum of 13,128 future mothers was investigated in 2001, 208 women (1.58%) appeared to be positive (there were only 1.22% carriers in this group in 1999). CONCLUSIONS: Analysed data show the importance of immunisation against Hepatitis B not only among newborns, but also among teenagers. In addition, special attention should be paid to the growing problem of Hepatitis B carriage among pregnant women.