Dataset Information

HCV transmission in high-risk communities in Bulgaria.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:The rate of HIV infection in Bulgaria is low. However, the rate of HCV-HIV-coinfection and HCV infection is high, especially among high-risk communities. The molecular epidemiology of those infections has not been studied before. METHODS:Consensus Sanger sequences of HVR1 and NS5B from 125 cases of HIV/HCV coinfections, collected during 2010-2014 in 15 different Bulgarian cities, were used for preliminary phylogenetic evaluation. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) data of the hypervariable region 1 (HVR1) analyzed via the Global Hepatitis Outbreak and Surveillance Technology (GHOST) were used to evaluate genetic heterogeneity and possible transmission linkages. Links between pairs that were below and above the established genetic distance threshold, indicative of transmission, were further examined by generating k-step networks. RESULTS:Preliminary genetic analyses showed predominance of HCV genotype 1a (54%), followed by 1b (20.8%), 2a (1.4%), 3a (22.3%) and 4a (1.4%), indicating ongoing transmission of many HCV strains of different genotypes. NGS of HVR1 from 72 cases showed significant genetic heterogeneity of intra-host HCV populations, with 5 cases being infected with 2 different genotypes or subtypes and 6 cases being infected with 2 strains of same subtype. GHOST revealed 8 transmission clusters involving 30 cases (41.7%), indicating a high rate of transmission. Four transmission clusters were found in Sofia, three in Plovdiv, and one in Peshtera. The main risk factor for the clusters was injection drug use. Close genetic proximity among HCV strains from the 3 Sofia clusters, and between HCV strains from Peshtera and one of the two Plovdiv clusters confirms a long and extensive transmission history of these strains in Bulgaria. CONCLUSIONS:Identification of several HCV genotypes and many HCV strains suggests a frequent introduction of HCV to the studied high-risk communities. GHOST detected a broad transmission network, which sustains circulation of several HCV strains since their early introduction in the 3 cities. This is the first report on the molecular epidemiology of HIV/HCV coinfections in Bulgaria.

SUBMITTER: Ganova-Raeva L

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6400337 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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HCV transmission in high-risk communities in Bulgaria.

Ganova-Raeva Lilia L Dimitrova Zoya Z Alexiev Ivailo I Punkova Lili L Sue Amanda A Xia Guo-Liang GL Gancheva Anna A Dimitrova Reneta R Kostadinova Asya A Golkocheva-Markova Elitsa E Khudyakov Yury Y

PloS one 20190305 3

<h4>Background</h4>The rate of HIV infection in Bulgaria is low. However, the rate of HCV-HIV-coinfection and HCV infection is high, especially among high-risk communities. The molecular epidemiology of those infections has not been studied before.<h4>Methods</h4>Consensus Sanger sequences of HVR1 and NS5B from 125 cases of HIV/HCV coinfections, collected during 2010-2014 in 15 different Bulgarian cities, were used for preliminary phylogenetic evaluation. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) data of ...[more]

PMID: 30835739

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Project description:IntroductionPost-menopausal women with osteoporosis > 70 years of age at high risk of fracture urgently require treatment for fracture prevention. Moreover, persistence with osteoporosis therapy is critical for real-world effectiveness. We estimated persistence with denosumab in older women at high fracture risk in clinical practice in Bulgaria.MethodsEligible participants were post-menopausal women, > 70 years of age, diagnosed with osteoporosis (T-score ≤ - 2.5) and at high risk of fracture (≥ 3% for hip and ≥ 20% for major osteoporotic fracture) who received at least one denosumab injection before enrollment. Planned follow-up was 24 months. The primary endpoint was persistence to denosumab at 12, 18, and 24 months (defined as receiving all denosumab injections within 6 months ± 60 days of the previous injection).Results250 women were enrolled across 12 Bulgarian endocrinology/rheumatology practices; median follow up, 736 days. Mean (SD) age was 75.8 (4.2) years; mean (SD) FRAX® was 13.1 (8.6) for hip and 26.1 (9.5) for major osteoporotic fracture; 47 (18.8%) women had prior osteoporosis therapy and 104 (41.6%) had prior fracture. Denosumab persistence was high: 98.0%, 92.4%, and 84.4% at 12, 18, and 24 months, respectively. A total of 42 (16.8%) women discontinued denosumab during follow-up, mostly for financial reasons [25/42 (59.5%)] or loss to follow-up [8/42 (19.0%)]. After 24 months of denosumab treatment, BMD T-score improvement to the range of osteopenia (- 2.5 ≤ T < - 1.5) was achieved by 42.4% at the femoral neck, 23.6% at the lumbar spine, and 49.2% at the total hip; complete recovery (T-score ≥ - 1.5) was observed in 9.0%, 26.4%, and 23.0% respectively. New fracture was reported in 5 patients (2%).ConclusionsEven in an elderly population, persistence with denosumab was high despite the challenge imposed by the 50% co-pay in Bulgaria.Trial registrationBulgarian Drug Agency, №HИП-0009 (registered 28.06.2017); Central Ethics Commission: №КИ-41 (registered 16.05.2017).

Project description:BackgroundFishing communities around Lake Victoria in sub-Saharan Africa have been characterised as a population at high risk of HIV-infection.MethodsUsing data from a cohort of HIV-positive individuals aged 13-49 years, enrolled from 5 fishing communities on Lake Victoria between 2009-2011, we sought to identify factors contributing to the epidemic and to understand the underlying structure of HIV transmission networks. Clinical and socio-demographic data were combined with HIV-1 phylogenetic analyses. HIV-1 gag-p24 and env-gp-41 sub-genomic fragments were amplified and sequenced from 283 HIV-1-infected participants. Phylogenetic clusters with ≥2 highly related sequences were defined as transmission clusters. Logistic regression models were used to determine factors associated with clustering.ResultsAltogether, 24% (n = 67/283) of HIV positive individuals with sequences fell within 34 phylogenetically distinct clusters in at least one gene region (either gag or env). Of these, 83% occurred either within households or within community; 8/34 (24%) occurred within household partnerships, and 20/34 (59%) within community. 7/12 couples (58%) within households clustered together. Individuals in clusters with potential recent transmission (11/34) were more likely to be younger 71% (15/21) versus 46% (21/46) in un-clustered individuals and had recently become resident in the community 67% (14/21) vs 48% (22/46). Four of 11 (36%) potential transmission clusters included incident-incident transmissions. Independently, clustering was less likely in HIV subtype D (adjusted Odds Ratio, aOR = 0.51 [95% CI 0.26-1.00]) than A and more likely in those living with an HIV-infected individual in the household (aOR = 6.30 [95% CI 3.40-11.68]).ConclusionsA large proportion of HIV sexual transmissions occur within house-holds and within communities even in this key mobile population. The findings suggest localized HIV transmissions and hence a potential benefit for the test and treat approach even at a community level, coupled with intensified HIV counselling to identify early infections.

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HCV transmission in high-risk communities in Bulgaria.

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HCV transmission in high-risk communities in Bulgaria.

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