Population‐based study on the seroprevalence of hepatitis A, B, and C virus infection in Amsterdam, 2004

Abstract

In order to enhance screening and preventive strategies, this study investigated the seroprevalence of hepatitis A, B, and C in the general adult urban population and in subgroups. In 2004, sera from 1,364 adult residents of Amsterdam were tested for viral markers. Sociodemographic characteristics were collected using a standardized questionnaire. For hepatitis A, 57.0% was immune. Of first-generation immigrants from Turkey and Morocco, 100% was immune. Of all Western persons and second-generation non-Western immigrants, approximately half was still susceptible. For hepatitis B, 9.9% had antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) and 0.4% had hepatitis B surface antigen. Anti-HBc seroprevalences were highest among first-generation immigrants from Surinam, Morocco, and Turkey, and correlated with age at the time of immigration, and among men with a sexual preference for men. Seroprevalence among second-generation immigrants was comparable to Western persons. The seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus antibodies was 0.6%. In conclusion, a country with overall low endemicity for viral hepatitis can show higher endemicity in urban regions, indicating the need for differentiated regional studies and prevention strategies. More prevention efforts in cities like Amsterdam are warranted, particularly for hepatitis A and B among second-generation immigrants, for hepatitis B among men with a sexual preference for men, and for hepatitis C. Active case finding strategies are needed for both hepatitis B and C.

Trends in hepatitis C virus infections among MSM attending a sexually transmitted infection clinic; 1995–2010

“…The HCV prevalence among HIV-negative MSM remained stable over time (0.6%) and was comparable to the HCV prevalence found in the general Amsterdam population [36]. Five out of six HCV strains obtained from HIV-negative MSM were neither closely related to strains circulating among HIV-positive men nor were they closely related to each 788 AIDS 2014, Vol 28 No 5 None of the sequences in these columns were linked to the MSM-specific clusters.…”

Hepatitis C in the general population of various ethnic origins living in the Netherlands: Should non-Western migrants be screened?

“…From April till June 2004, a random sample of 4042 persons of >18 years and living in Amsterdam was asked to participate in the Amsterdam Health Monitor [15]. Non-Dutch participants were oversampled.…”

Seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus differs in Dutch and first generation migrant populations in Amsterdam, the Netherlands: a cross-sectional study

“…This allowed us to look for determinants for anti-HEV seropositivity in different migrant groups using data and samples from a study that was performed in 2004, the Amsterdam Health Monitor (AHM). Furthermore, we looked whether anti-HEV seropositivity was related to the seroprevalence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) in the same AHM population [17]. The resulting data offers new insights into the sero-epidemiology of HEV infection in an urbanized area with mixed ethnicities.…”