Seroprevalence of HbsAg, anti-HBc and anti-HCV in Southern Brazil, 1999-2001
Braz. j. infect. dis
;
7(4): 262-267, Aug. 2003. tab
Article
in English
| LILACS
| ID: lil-351508
RESUMO
The prevalence of infection by the hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) viruses varies among geographical regions. We evaluated 263,795 blood donor samples collected from 1999-2001 in various cities in the state of Santa Catarina to determine the prevalence of HbsAg, anti-HBc and anti-HCV markers. The markers were analyzed by immunoenzymatic tests, as determined by the Ministry of Health, and the data were obtained from blood banks and from ANVISA (the Brazilian National Agency for Sanitary Vigilance). There was a significant reduction in the mean frequency of HbsAg and anti-HBc during the study period, from 0.98 percent to 0.64 percent and from 8.83 percent to 5.35 percent, respectively, though they varied considerably among the different regions. There was also a decrease in the mean frequency of anti-HCV, although it was not significant, decreasing from 0.38 percent to 0.34 percent. Even with this reduction, the frequency of these markers was still high compared with that found in other countries, indicating high rates of infection by hepatitis B and C viruses. This emphasizes the urgency of vaccination programs against HBV, especially in some regions of Santa Catarina state, in order to reduce the prevalence of this infection and consequently reduce the risk of transmission through sexual relations or from the donation of blood and/or hemocomponents
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Index:
LILACS (Americas)
Main subject:
Hepatitis C
/
Hepatitis C Antibodies
/
Hepatitis B
/
Hepatitis B Core Antigens
/
Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
Type of study:
Prevalence study
/
Risk factors
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
South America
/
Brazil
Language:
English
Journal:
Braz. j. infect. dis
Journal subject:
Communicable Diseases
Year:
2003
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Brazil
Institution/Affiliation country:
Santa Catarina Federal University/BR
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