Summary Russia has one of the highest prevalences of paediatric chronic hepatitis C infection (CHC). Our aim was to provide a detailed characterization of children and adolescents with CHC including treatment outcomes. Thus, an observational study of children with CHC aged <18 years was conducted in three hepatology centres from November 2014 to May 2017. Of 301 children (52% male), 196 (65%) acquired HCV vertically, 70 (23%) had a history of blood transfusion or invasive procedures, 1 injecting drug use and 34 (11%) had no known risk factors. Median age at HCV diagnosis was 3.1 [interquartile range, IQR 1.1, 8.2] and 10.8 [7.4, 14.7] at last follow‐up. The most common genotype was 1b (51%), followed by 3 (37%). Over a quarter of patients (84, 28%) had raised liver transaminases. Of 92 with liver biopsy, 38 (41%) had bridging fibrosis (median age 10.4 [7.1, 14.1]). Of 223 evaluated by transient elastography, 67 (30%) had liver stiffness ≥5.0 kPa. For each year, increase in age mean stiffness increased by 0.09 kPa (95% CI 0.05, 0.13, P < 0.001). There was significant correlation between liver stiffness and biopsy results (Tau‐b = 0.29, P = 0.042). Of 205 treated with IFN‐based regimens, 100 (49%) had SVR24. Most children (191, 93%) experienced adverse reactions, leading to treatment discontinuation in 6 (3%). In conclusion, a third of children acquired HCV via nonvertical routes and a substantial proportion of those with liver biopsy had advanced liver disease. Only half of children achieved SVR24 with IFN‐based regimens highlighting the need for more effective and better‐tolerated treatments with direct‐acting antivirals. Further studies are warranted in Russia on causes and prevention of nonvertical transmission of HCV in children.

No abstract

Among the classic pathogens of congenital infection, herpes simplex viruses type 1 and type 2 play important role. Neonatal herpes develops as a result of antenatal transmission of HSV. The greatest risk occurs with the primary infection of a woman in the late stages of pregnancy. In 85% of cases, genital and neonatal herpes is associated with HSV-2.The purpose of study: to identify the relationship between early manifestations of neonatal herpes and genital herpes during pregnancy for early diagnosis and etiological therapy of the newborn.Materials and methods. The analysis of current clinical recommendations and international consensuses of professional communities in Russia, the USA, and a number of European countries in the management of pregnant women was carried out. The five medical histories of newborn infants with a diagnosis of congenital herpetic infection were analyzed. In the clinical guidelines for the management of normal pregnancy, routine screening of pregnant women for HSV is omitted, however, examination is recommended for symptoms of genital herpes. For the prevention of neonatal herpes, antiviral drugs and caesarean section are used. Congenital herpes develops rarely, proceeds severely with significant residual manifestations in children. Antiviral therapy (Acyclovir) is used for herpetic infection in newborns: with systemic and local infection (eye damage). The analysis showed: despite the recurrent course of genital herpes in 4 out of 5 women during pregnancy, none of the pregnant women had a laboratory examination for HSV, pregnant women did not receive systemic etiological therapy and all deliveries were natural. The absence of preventive measures contributed to the early, during the first three days of life, the development of severe forms of neonatal herpes. In respect that the lack of significant clinical specificity and delayed manifestation, an antenatal anamnesis is important diagnostic criterion for neonatal herpes.

No abstract

The formation of biobanks in the structure of scientific and treatment and diagnostic institutions with prospects for interregional integration is a fundamental link in monitoring and predicting diseases of various origins, creating and testing highly effective diagnostics, and developing novel therapeutic agents.Aim. To describe standard operating procedures and principles for the formation of bioresource collections (BRC) in medical institutions with biobanking.Material and methods. The data of scientific and practical biomedical projects using BRC obtained from patients with genetic, multifactorial and infectious diseases in St. Petersburg and Surgut are presented. As of September 2022, the BRC collected on the basis of the Pediatric Research and Clinical Center for Infectious Diseases of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency includes biosamples from 1619 patients, and the BRC collected in the Medical Institute of Surgut State University includes biosamples from 450 patients and healthy individuals of different sex and age. The selection of biosamples from apparently healthy individuals and patients with various diseases can serve as a strategically important resource for future research in terms of etiology, epidemiology, the development of regulatory environment and scales, innovations in the development of diagnostic approaches and treatment of the Russian population.