Serological markers of hepatitis A and B in Bedouin population of north Sinai, Egypt

A total of 254 sera from bedouin subjects in different age groups, located at Rabaa District of North Sinai, were tested by reversed haemagglutination for the existence of hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg] in their sera and by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for serum antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen [anti-HAV]. 100% of the adult population was found to have anti-HAV with antibody acquisition beginning in early childhood and reaching a level of 90% by the age of 10 years. On the other h and, examination of serum specimens for hepatitis B markers showed an overall exposure rate of 22.4%. Anti- HBc [21%] was more detected than anti-HBs [12%]. The relative frequency of the two antibodies varied considerably from group to group. Adult aged group [31 - 40 years] showed the highest exposure while young age group [4 - 10 years] showed the least. Despite these high antibody prevalences, HBsAg was only detected in 3 cases of the study population. These data represented the sero- epidemiological profile of the population prior to introduction of Nile water to the area