[Genetic structure of populations and characteristics of geographic distribution of autosomal recessive diseases in the Kirov region].

The genetic structure of human populations inhabiting Kirov region is described. The effect of genetic drift on geographical distribution of families with autosomal recessive diseases is analyzed. Genetic distances were calculated from frequencies of occurrence of certain family names and frequencies of autosomal recessive genes encoding hereditary diseases. Cluster analysis based on matrices of genetic distances showed that descriptions of the genetic structure obtained using these two methods are in good agreement with one another. It is shown that genetic drift is the principal factor determining the territorial distribution of autosomal recessive genes within population of Kirov region. This conclusion is based on local accumulation of families suffering from autosomal recessive diseases.