Assessment of the Impact of the Rotavirus Vaccine Against Severe Rotaviral Diarrhea in Uzbekistan.

BACKGROUND: This article presents the results of a long-term study of the impact of rotavirus vaccination in Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan is the first country in the Central Asian region to introduce rotavirus vaccination into the national compulsory vaccination calendar. The study aimed to evaluate the impact of rotavirus vaccination on hospitalizations due to all-cause AGE and RVGE in children < 5 years of age in Uzbekistan. METHODS: Detection of rotavirus antigen was performed using Rotavirus-Antigen-IFA-BEST "Vector Best" kit (Novosibirsk, Russia). RESULTS: The total of 20,128 children under 5 years of age were hospitalized in sentinel hospitals with a diagnosis of acute gastroenteritis during the study period (2019-2020). Of this number of children, 4481 children (22.2%) were included in the study. Of 4481 children, 367 (8.2%) children tested positive for rotavirus. In our study, decrease in the rotavirus rate was noted in all age groups. The peak of rotavirus positivity occurred in the months of January and February. CONCLUSION: The average rotavirus-positive rate in the period (2019-2020) was 8.2% and the absolute percentage decrease was 18.1% compared to the pre-vaccination period (2005-2009) where the rotavirus-positive rate was 26.3%. The percentage of prevented cases averaged 68.8%.

Consensus on management of hepatitis C virus infection in resource-limited Ukraine and Commonwealth of Independent States regions.

Globally, 69.6 million individuals were infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in 2016. Of the six major HCV genotypes (GT), the most predominant one is GT1, worldwide. The prevalence of HCV in Central Asia, which includes most of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), has been estimated to be 5.8% of the total global burden. The predominant genotype in the CIS and Ukraine regions has been reported to be GT1, followed by GT3. Inadequate HCV epidemiological data, multiple socio-economic barriers, and the lack of region-specific guidelines have impeded the optimal management of HCV infection in this region. In this regard, a panel of regional experts in the field of hepatology convened to discuss and provide recommendations on the diagnosis, treatment, and pre-, on-, and posttreatment assessment of chronic HCV infection and to ensure the optimal use of cost-effective antiviral regimens in the region. A comprehensive evaluation of the literature along with expert recommendations for the management of GT1-GT6 HCV infection with the antiviral agents available in the region has been provided in this review. This consensus document will help guide clinical decision-making during the management of HCV infection, further optimizing treatment outcomes in these regions.

Rotavirus gastroenteritis in uzbekistan: implications for vaccine policy in central Asia.

BACKGROUND: To determine the value of rotavirus vaccines in Central Asia, we conducted surveillance of rotavirus in Uzbekistan, the country with the largest birth cohort in the region. Uzbekistan is eligible for international funds to introduce new vaccines. METHODS: We screened stool samples for rotavirus that were collected from children aged <5 years with gastroenteritis in 2 hospitals during 2005-2006. Using surveillance information and other data, we estimated national numbers of rotavirus-associated events per year. RESULTS: Of 3537 enrolled children, 1046 (30%) had rotavirus detected in stool specimens. Children aged <2 years accounted for 841 (80%) of all rotavirus infections. The G1P[8] genotype was identified in 27 (52%) of 52 typed samples collected in 2005. Rotavirus is estimated to cause 1174-1857 deaths and 6394-6558 hospitalizations among children aged <5 years annually. The cumulative risk of hospitalization for rotavirus by age 5 years is 1 in 94-96 children, and the risk of rotavirus-related death is 1 in 330-524 children. CONCLUSIONS: One-third of all hospitalizations for gastroenteritis and almost 5% of all deaths among children aged <5 years in Uzbekistan may be attributable to rotavirus. Introduction of rotavirus vaccines into the national immunization program at the current subsidized prices could be cost-effective.