A genotype of hepatitis D virus that occurs in northern South America.

Hepatitis D virus (HDV) is the cause of an unusually severe form of liver disease with distinct histologic features (morula cell) that occurs throughout northern South America and certain other areas of the world. Clinical studies of HDV disease worldwide indicate that there is, in fact, a wide variation in pathogenesis, and the reasons for these differences are presently unknown. One possible explanation is that factors associated with the viral genotype are determinants of HDV pathogenesis. In this study, nucleic acid sequences were determined for three different northern South American HDV isolates which were obtained from individuals with severe disease or a family history of severe disease, in areas that are hyperendemic for this disease pattern. The sequences of these three isolates are very similar to one another but only distantly related to other published HDV sequences. Comparison of the sequence of a semiconserved region from a total of 14 isolates indicates that there are at least three HDV genotypes. Most published HDV sequences, including those from North America, Europe, the Middle East, the South Pacific, and Asia, belong to a single genotype which may have some geographically based subtypes. A single Japanese isolate is the sole representative of a second HDV genotype. The South American sequences reported here constitute a third genotype. The association of a particular genotype with the severe form of type D hepatitis that occurs in northern South America supports the hypothesis that HDV genetic factors are important determinants in the pathogenesis of type D hepatitis.

First documented outbreak of dengue in the Peruvian Amazon region.

This article describes a classical dengue outbreak caused by dengue serotypes 1 and 4 that occurred from March to July 1990 in the city of Iquitos and surrounding areas of Loreto Department in the Peruvian Amazon. Epidemiologic data indicate that more than 150,000 persons may have been affected in Iquitos alone. Another dengue outbreak occurred in Tarapoto, a city in the neighboring department of San Martín. Laboratory data indicate that the same dengue serotypes were involved in both outbreaks. No cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever/shock syndrome appear to have occurred. Prior to this outbreak, no indigenous dengue cases had been documented in Peru.

Prevalencia del antígeno de superficie del virus de la hepatitis B en población general de costa, sierra y selva del Perú: reporte preliminar / Prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen in habitants of three geographical zones of Peru

Se realizó el estudio prospectivo, para establecer la prevalencia del HBsAg, en la población residente en áreas urbanas de las tres regiones del Perú. Se incluyeron en cada ciudad 100 personas aparentemente sanas, con tiempo de residencias mayor de 5 años, no migrantes ni trauseuntes. Subdividido cada grupo en 50 adultos y 50 niños. De estos útimos 15, entre 4 meses y 1 año de edad, 15 de 1 a 7 años y 20 casos de 7 a 14 años. Se obtuvieron las muestras por venopuntura, luego se centrifugó y el suero obtenido se almacenó a -20 grados C antes de ser remitido a Lima para su procesamiento. La determinación del HBsAg, se hizo por la técnica de ELISA (Abbott Lab. III. USA). En este reporte preliminar informamos de los resultados en 7 ciudades (Lima, Iquitos, Chiclayo, Arequipa, Ica, Chachapoyas y Tarapoto), que incluyen 680 personas, de los cuales 373 son adultos y 307 niños. El HBsAg, fue positivo en 26 casos (3.8 por ciento). En el grupo adulto hubieron 13 positivos (3.4 por ciento) y en los niños también 13 casos (4.2 por ciento). El resultado de toda la muestra da cifras de prevalencia (3.8 por ciento) superiores a lo reportado, anteriormente a nivel nacional. El mismo fenómeno se observó en zona de costa, mientras que en la zona de selva nuestros resultados son similares a lo encontrado anteriormente. En zonas de sierra no estudiados previamente se obtuvieron resultados similares al resto de país. También es interesante destacar los elevados porcentajes de prevalencia en los niños. Estos resultados indican que la Hepatitis B es un grave problema de salud pública en nuestro país, que amerita tomar medidas preventivas inmediatas

[Prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen in general population of coast, mountain and forest regions of Peru. A preliminary report]. / Prevalencia del antígeno de superficie del virus de la hepatitis B en población general de costa, sierra y selva del Perú. Reporte preliminar.

A prospective study was performed in order to establish HBsAg prevalence on population living in urban areas of three geographical regions of Peru. There were included 100 apparently healthy people of each city, with a residence major to 5 years, no migrate neither transitory. Each subdivided group in 50 adults and 50 children. Of these last ones 15 between 1 to 7 years old and 20 cases between 7 to 14 years old. Samples were obtained by venipuncture, then they were centrifuged and the serum obtained was stored at -20 degrees C before being sent to Lima for processing. Determination of HBsAg was made by the Elisa's technic (Abbott Lab-III.-USA). In this preliminary report we informed about results in 7 cities (Lima, Iquitos, Chiclayo, Arequipa,Ica, Chachapoyas y Tarapoto) that include 680 persons of which 373 were adults and 307 children. The HBsAg, was positive in 26 cases (3.8%). In the adult group were 13 positives (3.4%), and in the children also 13 cases (4.2%). Result of all sample shows figures of prevalence (3.8%) major to that reported before at national level. The same phenomenon was observed in the cost while in the jungle our results were similar to those found before. In the andean area not studied previously there were obtained similar results to the rest of the country. It is also interesting to mention the high percentages of prevalence in children. These results indicate that hepatitis B is a serious problem of public health in our country that merit to take immediate prophylactic measures.