Hepatitis B virus infection in Cameroon: A seroepidemiological survey in city school children

Chiaramonte, M.; Stroffolini, Tommaso; Ngatchu, T; Rapicetta, Maria; Lantum, Daniel Noni; Kaptué, Lazare; Chionne, Paola; Conti, Susanna; Sarrecchia, B.; Naccarato, R.

doi:10.1002/jmv.1890330206

Cited by 30 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 9 publications

(4 reference statements)

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“…The prevalence of HBsAg noted in our study was comparable to that reported previously in studies of the Baka (8,12), was similar to that reported for Bantu populations (4,8), and indicated that Cameroon is an area where HBV is highly endemic. The age-dependent HBsAg prevalence profile showing that the population of children under 10 years of age experienced a high rate of infection strongly suggested perinatal transmission or transmission in early childhood.…”

supporting

confidence: 91%

“…However, to date little information has been available pertaining to the prevalence and genetic diversity of these viruses in central Africa. In Cameroon, HBV and HCV infections have been studied mostly among Bantu populations (4,13,15), and very few data are available for the Pygmies in this region. The Pygmies have lived in a forest environment in Cameroon for more than 20,000 years, mostly as hunter-gatherers (19).…”

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Hepatitis B and C Virus Infections in the Three Pygmy Groups in Cameroon

et al. 2011

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A high (11.8%) level of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection was found among 524 Pygmies in Cameroon, whereas the extent of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the same population was low (0.6%). Phylogenetic analyses showed cocirculation of two HBV genotypes, HBV-A3 and -E. Taken together, our results suggest different epidemiological scenarios concerning HBV and HCV infections in this population.Sub-Saharan Africa is considered to be an area of high hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) endemicity (6, 11). However, to date little information has been available pertaining to the prevalence and genetic diversity of these viruses in central Africa. In Cameroon, HBV and HCV infections have been studied mostly among Bantu populations (4,13,15), and very few data are available for the Pygmies in this region. The Pygmies have lived in a forest environment in Cameroon for more than 20,000 years, mostly as hunter-gatherers (19). The characterization of HBV and HCV isolates from ancient populations may help to reveal the origin and evolutionary history of these viruses (7). Three distinct Pygmy groups currently live in Cameroon: the Baka, the Bakola, and the Bedzan. Three studies conducted 15 years ago reported a high HCV prevalence, ranging from 6 to 11%, in the Pygmy population (5, 10, 12). However, these studies only considered the Baka. Furthermore, the performances of the tests used at that time are questionable. A more recent study demonstrated an HCV prevalence of only 2.3% (8). In those 4 studies, Cameroon was found to be an area where HBV is highly endemic. Even now, no comparable information is available for the Bakola or Bedzan Pygmies. Thus, the objectives of our study were to assess the prevalence of HBV and HCV markers among the three Pygmy groups from Cameroon and also to study the HBV genetic diversity in these populations.This study formed part of a survey of viral emergence in Pygmies from Cameroon conducted from 2005 to 2008 (1-3). Informed consent was obtained from adults (or from parents, in the case of children) before blood sampling. Furthermore, the participants of the study underwent a medical examination and, if necessary, were treated according to local procedures on site or were sent to local medical facilities. The geographic localization, the number of subjects included in each group, the mean age, and the sex ratio are shown in Fig. 1A.The presence of antibodies against HCV (anti-HCV) was checked by the use of a third-generation enzyme immunoassay (EIA) (Monolisa anti-HCV Plus version 2; Bio-Rad, MarneLa-Coquette, France). A positive result for anti-HCV was defined as a Monolisa ratio of greater than 6 (16). Of the 346 available samples tested, only 2 (0.6%) (one Baka and one Bedzan; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.9 to 1.9%) were anti-HCV positive. Those samples were negative when tested for HCV RNA.HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) was screened for by a thirdgeneration EIA (Monolisa AgHBs Plus; Bio-Rad). Of the 524 samples tested, 62 (11.8%) (95% CI, 9.2 to 14.9%) were positive. Th...

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confidence: 99%

Hepatitis B and C Virus Infections in the Three Pygmy Groups in Cameroon

et al. 2011

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“…The first HBV mass vaccination program in the world was launched in Taiwan on July 1, 1984 [Chen et al, 1987]. The HBsAg carrier rate is up to 100 times higher in developing countries than in developed countries [Chiaramonte et al, 1991].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seroepidemiology of hepatitis A, B, C, and E viruses infection among preschool children in Taiwan

Lin

Chen

et al. 2005

Journal of Medical Virology

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Taiwan was a hyperendemic area for hepatitis A and B viruses (HAV and HBV) infection before late 1980s. To study the seroprevalence of hepatitis A, B, C, and E viruses (HCV and HEV) infection among preschool children in Taiwan, a community‐based survey was carried out in 54 kindergartens in 10 urban areas, 10 rural areas, and 2 aboriginal areas randomly selected through stratified sampling. Serum specimens of 2,538 preschool children were screened for the hepatitis A, C, and E antibodies by a commercially available enzyme immunoassay and for HBV markers by radioimmunoassay methods. The multivariate‐adjusted odd ratios (OR) with their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated through the multiple logistic regression analysis. Females had a statistically significantly higher HAV seroprevalence than males. The seroprevalence of HCV infection increased significantly with age. The larger the sibship size, the higher the seroprevalence of HBV infection. Aboriginal children had a significantly higher seroprevalence of HBV and HEV infection and lower seroprevalence of HCV infection than non‐aboriginal children. A significantly higher seroprevalence of HBV infection was found in rural children than urban children. There was no significant association between serostatus of HAV and HEV infection and between serostatus of HBV and HCV infection among preschool children in Taiwan. The poor environmental and hygienic conditions in the aboriginal areas might play a role in infection with HBV and HEV. J. Med. Virol. 78:18–23, 2006. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, inc.

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“…However, other studies reporting on the prevalence of HBsAg among HIV-infected patients have described a HBsAg prevalence rate varying from 5.4% to 6.0% among pregnant women in rural settings and from 7.0% to 12.5% in urban settings [4][5][6][7]. The high HBsAg rate in urban settings could be a result of improved laboratory facilities, increased awareness and perhaps success in the implementation of systematic HBV screening of pregnant women in PMTCT program whose implementation in the rural areas is below 2% [7][8][9].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evidence of Co and Triple Infections of Hepatitis B and C Amongst HIV Infected Pregnant Women in Buea, Cameroon

Ikomey¹,

Jacobs²,

Tanjong³

et al. 2016

SJPH

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Abstract:Little epidermiological data is available on the prevalence of HIV, Hepatitis B and C, Co-and or triple infection during pregnancy in Cameroon as well as many other resource limited settings. HIV and Hepatitis B and C are major public health concerns world wide. Our study aimed at assessing the seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and C amongst HIV infected pregnant women in Buea, located in the Southwest region of Cameroon. A Cross-sectional study on consented pregnant women were conducted from March 2015 to August 2015. HIV-1 infections were detected using the national HIV-1 test algorithms. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-HBe and anti-Hepatitis C (anti-HCV) were detected using Enzyme linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISAs). Of the 1230 recruited pregnant women, 97/1230 (7.8%) (95% CI: 3.5, 29.0%) were confirmed HIV-1 positive. HIV/HBV co-infection were observed in 14/97 (14.4%) (95% CI: 39.8, 100%), whilst 11/97 (11.3 %; 95% CI: 27.5, 100%) were HIV/HCV co-infections. Two HIV-infected pregnant women (8/97(8.2%; 95% CI: 0.1, 17.2%)) were HIV/HBV/HCV triple-infected. Anti-HBc was detected in all HBV-infected pregnant women (14/14; (100.0%)) (95.0% CI: 39.8, 100.0%). Seropositivity for HIV-1 was higher (37%) amongst subjects aged between 32-37 years, whilst none was found above 40. From our results we conclude that Co-and triple infections of HIV, Hepatitis B and C were present amongst pregnant women in Buea. Epidemiological data generated from this study are limited due to the existence of triple infected. It will therefore serve as a guide to the government policies to reinforce screening, treatment and prevention strategies, through its Mother-to-Child-transmission (pMTCT) Programme nationwide.

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Hepatitis B virus infection in Cameroon: A seroepidemiological survey in city school children

Cited by 30 publications

References 9 publications

Hepatitis B and C Virus Infections in the Three Pygmy Groups in Cameroon

Hepatitis B and C Virus Infections in the Three Pygmy Groups in Cameroon

Seroepidemiology of hepatitis A, B, C, and E viruses infection among preschool children in Taiwan

Evidence of Co and Triple Infections of Hepatitis B and C Amongst HIV Infected Pregnant Women in Buea, Cameroon

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