Hepatitis A in Saudi Arabia: a comparative sero-epidemiological study

To determine the prevalence of Hepatitis A Virus infection among Saudi children [1-12 years] in 1997. To compare the results with our previous study in 1989. This is a randomized community-based study involving all of the regions of Saudi Arabia. All children were tested for antibody Hepatitis A Virus immunoglobulin [IgG] class. The prevalence of anti-Hepatitis A Virus IgG among 5355 Saudi children tested ranged from 10% in Taif to 82% in Gizan regions with an overall prevalence of 25%. There is a reduction of the overall prevalence from 50.5% in 1989 to 25% in 1997. This study shows a marked decline in Hepatitis A Virus infection in Saudi children 8 years after the first study. There is an almost 50% reduction of the overall Hepatitis A Virus prevalence. This dramatic decline in Hepatitis A Virus infection among the Saudi children will lead to a later exposure of elderly population groups to the Hepatitis A Virus infection and a new preventive strategy needing to be adopted

Schistosomiasis as a possible risk factor for acquiring hepatitis C virus [HCV] infection among Saudis

Risk factors for acquiring hepatitis C virus [HCV] infection have been elucidated in many developed countries but the picture is still not clear in many Middle Eastern Countries including Saudi Arabia. Aim-To investigate possible risk factors for acquiring HCV among Saudis. Methods-Various demographic and medical risk factors that might be associated with the spread of HCV among Saudis were investigated. The population studied included 20 anti-HCV-positive with chronic liver disease [CLD], 30 anti-HCV-positive patients without CLD and 272 anti-FICV-negative Saudi blood donors. All people investigated were of the same age group [>40 years of age]. Results-None of the demographic parameters studied [type of job, type of housing, education] was found to be significantly associated with acquiring HCV infection among our Saudi patients, On the other hand up to 40% of the anti-Hey-positive patients and irrespective of the condition of liver disease had a history of surgery, and 25% of them had a history of multiple injections. Furthermore, at least 20% of our anti-HCV-positive patients had a history of schistosomiasis which is significantly higher than schistosomiasis among the blood donors [Pc0.005]. Conclusion-In addition to blood and blood products, schistosomiasis seems to be a possible risk factor for acquiring HCV among the Saudi population. The association between schistosomiasis and enhancement of HCV infection need to be further elucidated