M. Basaras et al., Seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C, and human immunodeficiency type 1 viruses in a rural population from the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, T RS TROP M, 93(3), 1999, pp. 250-252
Citations number
13
Categorie Soggetti
Medical Research General Topics
Journal title
TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
The seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and
human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) markers was evaluated in a grou
p of 2042 subjects from a rural area in the Republic of Equatorial Guinea,
to obtain a better understanding of the transmission patterns of these viru
ses. Antibodies to HIV-1 were detected in 12 subjects (0.6%); the seropreva
lence did not differ significantly by age or gender. Overall seroprevalence
for HCV was 1.7% (in patients aged >40 years, 5.6%). Hepatitis B surface a
ntigen was detected in 8.8% of subjects, with the higher seroprevalence in
children aged less than or equal to 18 years of 13.4% contrasting with the
higher seroprevalence of HCV in older subjects of the Equatoguinean studied
population. These results indicate differences in the distribution of the
viruses and, probably, different routes of transmission. The study demonstr
ates the existence of a high HBV carrier rate in children, concluding that
hepatitis B vaccine should be incorporated into the Expanded Programme on V
accination in Equatorial Guinea.