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

Abstract

Brazil was formerly considered a country with intermediate hepatitis B endemicity, with large heterogeneity between Brazilian regions and areas of high prevalence, especially in the Amazon basin. Systematic vaccination of children was initiated in 1998. Between 2004 and, a large population-based study reported decreased prevalence in all regions of Brazil. This review analyzed the current hepatitis B epidemiological situation in Brazil through a systematic search of the scientifi c literature in MEDLINE, LILACS, and CAPES thesis database, as well as disease notifi cations to the Information System for Notifi able Diseases. The search strategy identifi ed 87 articles and 13 theses, resulting in 100 total publications. The most recent results indicate reduced hepatitis B prevalence nationwide, classifying Brazil as having low endemicity. Most studies showed HBV carrier prevalence less than 1%. However, there are still isolated regions with increased prevalence, particularly the Amazon, as well as specifi c groups, such as homeless people in large cities and isolated Afro-descendant communities in the center of the country. This review alsao detected successful vaccination coverage reported in a few studies around the country. The prevalence of anti-HBs alone ranged from 50% to 90%. However, isolated and distant localities still have low coverage rates. This review reinforces the downward trend of hepatitis B prevalence in Brazil and the need to intensify vaccination strategies for young people and adults in specifi c regions with persisting higher HBV infection prevalence.

Prevalence, risk factors and hepatitis B immunization: helping fill the gap on hepatitis B epidemiology among homeless people, Goiânia, Central Brazil

“…In Brazil, where the overall prevalence of HBV is low, the burden of the infection is concentrated mainly in populations with social vulnerability and risk behaviors 5,6 .…”

As hepatites virais: aspectos epidemiológicos, clínicos e de prevenção em municípios da Microrregião de Parauapebas, sudeste do estado do Pará, Brasil

“…A Microrregião de Parauapebas, localizada na Mesorregião do Sudeste Paraense, no estado do Pará, formada pelos municípios de Canaã dos Carajás, Água Azul do Norte, Curionópolis, Eldorado do Carajás e Parauapebas, junto com a Microrregião de Marabá, é o primeiro grande núcleo urbano atravessado pela ferrovia que transporta os minérios de Carajás ao porto de Itaqui, no estado do Maranhão, e vem sendo submetida a intenso fluxo migratório nos últimos anos, sob a influência das suas áreas de garimpo e da implantação de projetos de exploração de minérios 5 Um estudo de revisão da literatura sobre a distribuição da infecção pelo VHB no Brasil, realizado por Souto 12 , indicou uma tendente redução da prevalência da hepatite B em âmbito nacional, classificando o Brasil como sendo de baixa endemicidade para o VHB. Essa revisão também mostrou a necessidade de intensificar estratégias de vacinação para jovens e adultos em regiões mais isoladas, como a Região Amazônica, e em grupos específicos, a exemplo dos sem-teto em grandes cidades e das comunidades afrodescendentes.…”

Detection of Mansonella ozzardi among blood donors from highly endemic interior cities of Amazonas state, northern Brazil

“…The Brazilian Amazon is considered highly endemic for HBV. 36 Although the positivity rate for anti-HBc does not seem to be random and was significantly higher in the M. ozzardi positive group, our study was not designed to investigate possible associations between M. ozzardi and other infectious agents. Therefore, our results should be interpreted with caution especially considering the very broad 95% CI observed.…”

“…In the current study, just three blood units positive for M. ozzardi were effectively transfused as most infected candidates were ineligible and among the ones that effectively donated blood, the great majority had their blood units interdicted based on anti‐HBc positivity (anti‐hepatitis B core protein) which indicates previous or ongoing infection. The Brazilian Amazon is considered highly endemic for HBV . Although the positivity rate for anti‐HBc does not seem to be random and was significantly higher in the M. ozzardi positive group, our study was not designed to investigate possible associations between M. ozzardi and other infectious agents.…”