Decrease in hepatitis B prevalence among blood donors in Central-West Brazil

Abstract

BackgroundThe aim of the present study was to estimate hepatitis B virus seroprevalence among first-time blood donors in the city of Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul State, in the central-western region of Brazil.FindingsA retrospective analysis of first-time voluntary blood donor records, from January 2010 to December 2010, was conducted at the Hematology Center of Mato Grosso do Sul. The prevalence of the HBsAg and anti-HBc serological markers and their respective 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Chi-square analysis was performed between the seroprevalence previously found in 2001 and the one determined by the current study. Results were considered statistically significant if p < 0.05. Among 8,840 subjects, 269 (3.04%, 95% CI: 2.7-3.4) were positive for HBV markers. The prevalence rate of HBsAg was 0.19% (95% CI: 0.1-0.3) and anti-HBc alone was 2.85% (95% CI: 2.5-3.2).ConclusionsThere was no statistically significant difference regarding gender. However, an important association was observed between HBV infection and older age (p < 0.01). The seroprevalence of HBV infection in first-time blood donors diminished from 2001 to 2010 (p < 0.01). Such decrease suggests an improvement in the recruitment of safe donors, the positive impact of vaccination programs and the decreasing of HBV infection prevalence in the general population.

Prevalence of hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and human immunodeficiency virus among blood donors of Mekelle blood bank, Northern Ethiopia: A three‐year retrospective study

“…In one study conducted in Brazil, we found relatively lower prevalence of HBV compared with our study. This lower prevalence is associated with the incorporation of the vaccination program for HBV in the general population . However similar findings were reported from studies conducted in India although alcoholism, smoking, tattooing, ear piercing, and visiting barber shop were the risk factors for HBV infection among blood donors…”

Hepatitis B: changes in epidemiological features of Afro-descendant communities in Central Brazil

“…In order to verify trends in hepatitis B epidemiological profile in two large remnant quilombo communities from Central Brazil, we reassessed Furnas dos Dionísios (rural) and São Benedito (urban) communities after over 13 years. Considering these two communities together, the prevalence rates of HBV exposure (30.2%) and hepatitis B chronic infection (5.4%) remained high, especially when compared to the general population from the same state (3.04% and 0.19%, respectively) 18 . These data vouch, once again, that Brazil has a heterogeneous HBV distribution despite being a low endemic country and the communities studied still represent foci of high prevalence of HBV infection 7,12,14 .…”

Epidemiological and molecular analysis of hepatitis B virus infection in manicurists in Central Brazil

“…The variables such as history of family hepatitis and low level of education, were mentioned in other studies with several different population groups . The higher prevalence in professionals that were not born in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, may be related to the decrease in the prevalence of HBV infection in this state in the last few years . The decrease in the prevalence of hepatitis B in Central Brazil may have contributed to the low prevalence of HBV infection found in manicurists and pedicurists .…”

“…15,28,29 The higher prevalence in professionals that were not born in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, may be related to the decrease in the prevalence of HBV infection in this state in the last few years. 15,30 The decrease in the prevalence of hepatitis B in Central Brazil may have contributed to the low prevalence of HBV infection found in manicurists and pedicurists. 15,31,32 Likewise, almost one fourth (24.1%) of manicurists and pedicurists came from regions in Brazil with a higher prevalence of HBV infection.…”