ABSTRACT
Abstract INTRODUCTION: This cross-sectional study analyzed the spatial distribution of hepatitis B or C virus (HBV/HBC) and schistosomiasis coinfection. METHODS: Serum samples were collected from patients with Schistosoma mansoni infection. These were tested for serological markers of HBV/HCV infection. The spatial distribution of coinfection was analyzed using intensity kernel estimation. RESULTS: Overall, 9.4% of individuals had contact with HBV and 1.7% of samples tested positive for anti-HCV antibodies. We identified clusters of risk located in the central region. CONCLUSIONS: Spatial analysis allowed visualization of high-risk areas, leading to a definition of priority areas to be targeted for intensification of control interventions.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Infant, Newborn , Infant , Child, Preschool , Child , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Young Adult , Schistosomiasis mansoni/epidemiology , Hepatitis C/epidemiology , Coinfection/epidemiology , Hepatitis B/epidemiology , Brazil/epidemiology , Prevalence , Cross-Sectional Studies , Risk Factors , Spatial Analysis , Middle AgedABSTRACT
Objetivo: determinar a prevalência e os fatores de risco para a co-infecção pelo vírusda hepatite C (HCV) em pacientes com o vírus da imunodeficiência humana (HIV).Método: estudo analítico; foram testadas 299 amostras de sangue de pacientesinfectados pelo HIV, atendidos no Hospital Universitário de Maceió-AL, entre maio enovembro de 2005. Utilizou-se o teste imunoenzimático (ELISA) kit da Wierner Lab®(Rosário-Argentina) para a detecção do anti-HCV e a Reação em Cadeia daPolimerase (RT-PCR) para a pesquisa do HCV-RNA. Para a análise dos fatores derisco foi utilizado um questionário elaborado especificamente para o estudo.Resultados: das 299 amostras analisadas 10 (3,3%) foram positivas para o anti-HCV edestas 7 (2,3%) apresentaram também o HCV-RNA. Os fatores de risco que estiveramassociados à co-infecção HIV/HCV foram antecedentes de hepatite/icterícia e uso detatuagem/piercing. Conclusão: a baixa prevalência da co-infecção HIV/HCVencontrada na pesquisa poderá estar relacionada com a pouca exposição parenteral,principalmente transfusão de sangue e uso de drogas injetáveis, dos pacientesinfectados com o HIV em Maceió
Objective: the objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of thehepatitis C virus (HCV) in carriers of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Methods: tests werecarried out on 299 blood samples from HIV patients attending the University Hospital of Maceió inthe state of Alagoas, from May to November, 2005. The enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)of Wiener Lab® kit (Rosário-Argentina) was used to detect anti-HCV and polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) so as to study the HCV-RNA. A questionnaire was created specifically for this study inorder to analyze the risk factors. Results: analysis of the 299 samples revealed that 10 (3.3%) sampleswere positive for anti-HCV and 7 (2.3%) presented HCV-RNA. The risk factors associated toHCV/HIV coinfection indicated a history of hepatitis/jaundice and tattooing/piercing. Conclusion: thelow prevalence of HCV/HIV coinfection encountered during this investigation is probably due to a lowincidence of parenteral exposure, mainly those of blood transfusions and the use of injected drugs inHIV infected patients in Maceió.