Seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C infection markers among children and adolescents in the southern Brazilian region

Abstract

SUMMARYHepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections account for a substantial proportion of liver diseases worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HBV and HCV serological markers among children and adolescents and verify the epidemiology of the HBV infection over than a decade of the introduction of vaccination program. Serologic markers to HBsAg, total anti-HBc and anti-HCV had been tested in 393 samples. The seropositivity for HBsAg was 0.76% and for total antiHBc was 1.02%. Copositivity between HBsAg and total anti-HBc was verified in 0.76% of the analyzed samples. There was no seropositivity for anti-HCV marker. The seroprevalence of HBV infection markers among children and adolescents in the southern Brazilian region is high compared to that reported in other countries. Preventive measures, such as educational activities in addition to the universal childhood HBV vaccination, should be initiated in order to reduce the morbimortality and the economic burden associated with the disease.

Distribution of hepatitis B infection in Brazil: the epidemiological situation at the beginning of the 21 st century

“…First, the disease seems to be under control in the Southern region (107) . These findings suggest successful vaccination coverage in this region (26) (82) (83) (85) .…”

“…Among studies included in this review, some also analyzed vaccine coverage by measuring the seroprevalence of antibodies against HBsAg (anti-HBs) (26) (52) (58) (72) (78) (79) (82) (83) (85) . These reports were predominantly conducted in adolescents and young adults.…”

The prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection markers and socio-demographic risk factors in HIV-infected patients in Southern Brazil

“…Studies performed in southern Brazil between 2009 and 2010 showed that the vaccination coverage of children and adolescents who were born after the hepatitis B vaccination was introduced was over 92% 32 and that the HBsAg and antiHBc prevalences were less than 1% and 10%, respectively [32][33][34][35] . Hepatitis B virus vaccination began in 1992 for children younger than fi ve years of age and subsequently expanded to health professionals, students, fi refi ghters, police and the military in 1994 and to adults under 20 years old in 2001 36 .…”

Seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C infection markers among children and adolescents in the southern Brazilian region

“…LIVRAMENTO et al 3 reported the prevalence of HBsAg 0.76% and total anti-HBc 1.02%, respectively and the copositivity between HBsAg and total anti-HBc was verified in 0.76% of the analyzed samples. I would like to add some information regarding this subject.First of all I would like to draw the readers' attention to the fact that in Brazil, prevalence of HBV is much higher than reported by LIVRAMENTO et al 3,5 . However, it cannot be denied that the introduction of HBV vaccination in 1996 as a National Immunization Program in Brazil could impact the prevalence of the disease.…”

“…First of all I would like to draw the readers' attention to the fact that in Brazil, prevalence of HBV is much higher than reported by LIVRAMENTO et al 3,5 . However, it cannot be denied that the introduction of HBV vaccination in 1996 as a National Immunization Program in Brazil could impact the prevalence of the disease.…”