Endemic hepatitis B and C virus infection in a Brazilian Eastern Amazon region

• Published in: Arquivos de gastroenterologia Vol. 47; no. 1; pp. 35 - 41
• Main Authors: El Khouri, Marcelo, Cordeiro, Quirino, Luz, Diogo Arantes Behling Pereira da, Duarte, Leandro Savoy, Gama, Mônica Elinor Alves, Corbett, Carlos Eduardo Pereira
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Portuguese
• Published: Brazil Instituto Brasileiro de Estudos e Pesquisas de Gastroenterologia e Outras Especialidades - IBEPEGE 01.03.2010; Instituto Brasileiro de Estudos e Pesquisas de Gastroenterologia (IBEPEGE)
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antígenos de superfície da hepatite B; Antígenos do núcleo do vírus da hepatite B; Brazil - epidemiology; Child; Child, Preschool; Endemic Diseases; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Estudos soroepidemiológicos; Female; GASTROENTEROLOGY & HEPATOLOGY; Hepacivirus - immunology; Hepatite B; Hepatite C; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis B - diagnosis; Hepatitis B - epidemiology; Hepatitis B core antigens; Hepatitis B surface antigens; Hepatitis B virus - immunology; Hepatitis C; Hepatitis C - diagnosis; Hepatitis C - epidemiology; Humans; Infant; Male; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Seroepidemiologic studies; Socioeconomic Factors; Young Adult; Brazil; Seroepidemiologic studies; Hepatite C; Hepatite B; Hepatitis B surface antigens; Antígenos do núcleo do vírus da hepatite B; Hepatitis B core antigens; Hepatitis C; Hepatitis B; Estudos soroepidemiológicos; Antígenos de superfície da hepatite B
• ISSN: 0004-2803; 1678-4219; 1678-4219; 0004-2803
• DOI: 10.1590/S0004-28032010000100007

Hepatitis B and hepatitis C infection has been an important cause of morbidity and mortality around the world. However there are few investigations regarding the prevalence and possible risk factors for these diseases in Brazil, particularly in Amazon region, where there are some endemic focus. To determine the prevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C in the city of Buriticupu, MA, located in the Brazilian Eastern Amazon region, and try to explore the risk factors for these infections in that area. Two hundred forty three subjects (46.5% male and 53.5% female) were investigated. The prevalence of past or current infection of hepatitis B and C virus was, respectively, 40.74% and 5.76%. Positivity for HBsAg was found in 2.88% of the subjects. The prevalence of current infection or chronic virus carriers found was 2.88% (HBsAg). There was a statistically significant relationship between the sera-prevalence of anti-HBc and the distance of the residence from the city center which may reflect an indirect association between the infection and precarious conditions of existence. Individuals with age equal or greater than 60 years were also more likely to be anti-HBc positive which could only reflect that older people have a longer history of exposure to hepatitis B infection. The prevalence of hepatitis C is higher than the worldwide estimate. Buriticupu may be considered endemic for hepatitis B and C. Hepatitis B infection could be related to precarious living conditions and old age. Hepatitis C was not associated with the variables investigated in the present investigation.