Identification and a full genome analysis of novel camel hepatitis E virus strains obtained from Bactrian camels in Mongolia.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infects humans and a wide variety of other mammalian hosts. Recently, HEV strains belonging to genotype 8 (G8) within the Orthohepevirus A species of the Hepeviridae family, were identified in Bactrian camels (Camelus bactrianus) in China. The Bactrian camel (also known as the Mongolian camel) is native to the steppes of Central Asia.

Distinct changing profiles of hepatitis A and E virus infection among patients with acute hepatitis in Mongolia: The first report of the full genome sequence of a novel genotype 1 hepatitis E virus strain.

In January 2012, Mongolia started a hepatitis A vaccination program, which has not yet been evaluated. The first occurrence of autochthonous acute hepatitis E in 2013, caused by genotype 4 hepatitis E virus (HEV), suggests the need for a routine study to monitor its prevalence. One hundred fifty-four consecutive patients who were clinically diagnosed with acute hepatitis between 2014 and 2015 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia were studied.

Molecular analysis of hepatitis A virus strains obtained from patients with acute hepatitis A in Mongolia, 2004-2013.

Despite the high endemicity of hepatitis A virus (HAV) in Mongolia, the genetic information on those HAV strains is limited. Serum samples obtained from 935 patients with acute hepatitis in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia during 2004-2013 were tested for the presence of HAV RNA using reverse transcription-PCR with primers targeting the VP1-2B region (481 nucleotides, primer sequences at both ends excluded). Overall, 180 patients (19.

Prevalence of hepatitis viruses in patients with acute hepatitis and characterization of the detected genotype 4 hepatitis E virus sequences in Mongolia.

Hepatitis E is considered to be a worldwide public health problem. Although the prevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) antibodies in healthy individuals is noted to be 11%, no patients with acute hepatitis E have previously been identified in Mongolia. Three hundred two consecutive patients (183 males and 119 females; median age of 22.

Recent situation of taeniasis in Mongolia (2002-2012).

Epidemiological situation of taeniasis in Mongolia was assessed based on mitochondrial DNA identification of the parasite species. Multiplex PCR was used on a total of 194 proglottid specimens of Taenia species and copro-PCR and loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assays were utilized for detection of copro-DNA of 37 fecal samples from taeniasis patients submitted to the Mongolian National Center for Communicable Diseases (NCCD) from 2002 to 2012. In addition, 4 out of 44 calcified cysts in beef kept in formalin since 2003 were evaluated for histopathological confirmation of cattle cysticercosis.

Identification of a current hot spot of HIV type 1 transmission in Mongolia by molecular epidemiological analysis.

We investigated the current molecular epidemiological status of HIV-1 in Mongolia, a country with very low incidence of HIV-1 though with rapid expansion in recent years. HIV-1 pol (1065 nt) and env (447 nt) genes were sequenced to construct phylogenetic trees. The evolutionary rates, molecular clock phylogenies, and other evolutionary parameters were estimated from heterochronous genomic sequences of HIV-1 subtype B by the Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo method.

Histopathological, serological, and molecular confirmation of indigenous alveolar echinococcosis cases in Mongolia.

Alveolar echinococcosis cases diagnosed histopathologically in 2002, 2006, 2007, and 2009 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia were reconfirmed by evaluating the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene of mitochondrial DNA. The most recent three cases using paraffin-embedded and ethanol-fixed specimens revealed that one was of the "Asian" haplotype, whereas two others were of the "Inner Mongolian" type. All patients were born in the western provinces of Mongolia, they never resided outside of Mongolia, and they were given a preliminary diagnosis of malignant hepatic tumor or abscess.

Allele and genotype frequencies of cytochrome P450 2B6 gene in a Mongolian population.

CYP2B6 plays an important role in metabolizing various drugs in common clinical use. Increasing interest in CYP2B6 genetic polymorphism was stimulated by revelations of a specific CYP2B6 genotype significantly affecting the metabolism of efavirenz, an anti-HIV type-1 agent. The present study determined the CYP2B6 haplotype in 100 healthy unrelated Mongolian volunteers by analyzing the genotypes of nine single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) positions (-82T>C, 64C>T, 499C>T, 516G>T, 777C>A, 785A>G, 983T>C, 1375A>G, and 1459C>T) in the CYP2B6 gene.

Risk factors and prevalence of HIV and sexually transmitted infections among low-income female commercial sex workers in Mongolia.

Background: Mongolia has very low HIV prevalence despite high rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Low-income female sex workers (FSWs) may be at high risk for acquiring and spreading the disease in Mongolia.

Goal: The goal of this study was to assess the prevalence and risk factors associated with the acquisition of HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis among low-income female commercial sex workers in 3 urban centers in Mongolia.

Exposure of hepatitis B vaccine to freezing temperatures during transport to rural health centers in Mongolia.

Background: A previous evaluation of the Mongolian hepatitis B virus (HBV) infant vaccination program showed that only 70% of rural subjects developed protective antibody levels compared to 94% of urban subjects. The difference is likely due to damaged vaccine being administered to rural infants. HBV vaccine is heat-stable, but freezing destroys immunogenicity.

Comparison of hepatitis B vaccine coverage and effectiveness among urban and rural Mongolian 2-year-olds.

Background: The prevalence of hepatitis B (HBV) carriage in Mongolia is reported to be 14%. Universal HBV immunization of newborns has been shown to decrease carriage in Asian populations. Mongolia began universal newborn vaccination in 1991.