TY - JOUR A2 - Peltekian, Kevork M. AU - Aibekova, Lazzat AU - Bexeitova, Aizada AU - Aldabergenova, Arailym AU - Hortelano, Gonzalo AU - Ge, Zhangwen AU - Yi, Feng AU - Shao, Yiming AU - DeHovitz, Jack AU - Vermund, Sten H. AU - Ali, Syed PY - 2020 DA - 2020/07/15 TI - Transmission of HIV and HCV within Former Soviet Union Countries SP - 9701920 VL - 2020 AB - Background. Following the collapse of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR) in 1991, trans-border mobility increased within the former Soviet Union (FSU) countries. In addition, drug-trafficking and injection drug use began to rise, leading to the propagation and transmission of blood-borne infections within and across the FSU countries. To examine the transmission of blood-borne infections within this region, we analyzed the phylogenetic relationship of publically available sequences of two blood-borne viruses, hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), from FSU countries. Methods. We analysed 614 and 295 NS5B sequences from HCV genotypes 1b and 3a, respectively, from 9 FSU countries. From 13 FSU countries, we analysed 347 HIV gagand 1282 HIV envsequences. To examine transmission networks and the origins of infection, respectively, phylogenetic and Bayesian analyses were performed. Results. Our analysis shows intermixing of HCV and HIV sequences, suggesting transmission of these viruses both within and across FSU countries. We show involvement of three major populations in transmission: injection drug user, heterosexual, and trans-border migrants. Conclusion. This study highlights the need to focus harm reduction efforts toward controlling transmission of blood-borne infections among the abovementioned high-risk populations in the FSU countries. SN - 2291-2789 UR - https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/9701920 DO - 10.1155/2020/9701920 JF - Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology PB - Hindawi KW - ER -