The results show a high prevalence of HCV infection and predominance of subtype 1a among drug users in Brazil. In addition, injecting drug use was a major risk factor associated with HCV infection.

BackgroundMen who have sex with men (MSM) are at increased risk of exposure to hepatitis B virus (HBV) compared with the general population. This study aims to assess the epidemiological and virological characteristics of HBV infection in a sample of MSM in Brazil, where data are scarce.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among MSM in the City of Goiânia, Central Brazil, from March to November 2014, using Respondent-Driven Sampling (RDS). After signing the consent form, participants were interviewed and a blood sample collected. All samples were tested for HBV serological markers and HBV DNA. HBV nucleotide sequence analysis was also performed.ResultsA total of 522 MSM were recruited in the study. The prevalence of HBV infection (current or past [presence of anti-HBc marker]) was 15.4% (95% CI: 8.7–25.8) and the rate of HBsAg carriers was 0.6% (95% CI: 0.2–1.6). About 40% (95% CI: 32.3–48.8) of the participants had serological evidence of previous HBV vaccination (reactive for isolated anti-HBs). In addition, 44.3% (95% CI: 36.1–52.9) were seronegative for all HBV markers. Age over 25 years old, receptive anal intercourse, previous sex with women, and history of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) were factors associated with HBV infection. HBV DNA was detected only in HBsAg-positive individuals. HBV isolates were classified into genotype A (subgenotypes A1 and A2), and some mutations were identified throughout the genome. Therefore, occult HBV infection was not observed in the study population.ConclusionsPublic health strategies should be improved for the MSM population in order to prevent HBV and other STIs, as well as to provide appropriate management of patients with active infections.

Worldwide, it is estimated that about 1.5 million clinical cases of hepatitis A occur each year (Lavanchy 2002). Transmission of hepatitis A virus (HAV) usually occurs by the faecal-oral route either through personto-person contact or ingestion of contaminated water or food. In developed countries, low prevalence of HAV infection has been found while in many developing ones; low income, low educational level, crowding and lack of access to safe drinking water, and sanitation facilities are associated with increased HAV infection prevalence. However, recent studies have shown a decline in anti-HAV seroprevalence in Latin America, which has generally been explained by improvements in sanitary conditions, particularly in the access to clear water and to sewerage systems (Tapia-Conyer et al.1999, Tanaka 2000, Jacobsen & Koopman 2004.In Brazil, although hepatitis A is considered an endemic infection, some studies have shown a shift from high to intermediate endemicity in HAV infection epidemiological pattern, especially in South and Southeast regions (Vitral et al. 1998, Clemens et al. 2000, Santos et al. 2002. Furthermore, within this country, seroprevalence rates may vary by age, socioeconomic status, urbanization level and access to clean water as sanitation facilities (Vitral et al. 2006). African individuals were introduced in Brazil by slave trade. Some of them escaped from gold mines or farms, setting in remote valleys, to escape their masters. These runaway-slave descendants stayed in isolated communities, called "quilombos". The epidemiological status of HAV infection of these communities remains unknown. In this study, the prevalence of HAV infection among isolated African-descendant communities in Central Brazil was sought.This study included 947 individuals living in all 12 isolated afro-descendants communities existing in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Central Brazil. Among them, seven communities were in rural areas: Furnas dos Dionísios, Jaraguari county (n = 197), Furnas da Boa Sorte, Corguinho county (n = 121), Malaquias, Camapuã county (n = 83), Jerônimos, Terenos county (n = 70), São Miguel, Maracaju county (n = 49), Furnas dos Baianos, Aquidauana county (n = 42) and Quintinos, Pedro Gomes county (n = 37); and five in urban areas: São Benedito, Campo Grande county (n = 199), Orolândia, Rio Negro county (n = 49), São Miguel, Nioaque county (n = 48), Amarelinhos, Sidrolândia county (n = 25), and Morro do Limão, Campo Grande county (n = 27).The population ranged in age from less than 1 to 108 years (average 29.8 years). Four hundred forty-nine were females and 498 were males. All these individuals had low socioeconomic (families with monthly income less than US$ 200) and education levels (76% had less than 8 years of formal education). In rural communities, the majority lived basically on subsistence agriculture or cattle-rising, and their houses had no sewage system, tap water service and access to electric power. The inhabitants of Amarelinhos community lived in rural area, but recently they have ...

SUMMARYIn order to determine the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in quilombo remnant communities in Central Brazil, 1,007 subjects were interviewed in all 12 communities existing in Mato Grosso do Sul State, Central Brazil. Blood samples were collected and sera were tested for anti-HCV by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Positive samples were retested for confirmation using a line immunoassay and were also subjected to HCV RNA detection. The prevalence of HCV infection was 0.2%. This finding shows a low prevalence of HCV infection in quilombo remnant communities in Central Brazil.