Prevalence of hepatitis B anti-core antibody in the Republic of Ireland

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis B exposur e in the population of the Republic of Ireland, by measuring the prevalence of hepatitis B anti-core antibody in oral fluid collected by postal survey . A random multi-stage stratified sample of Irish households was obtained, us ing the Irish electoral register as the sampling frame. A total of 962 hous eholds were selected, and a household response rate of 60.4% was achieved. Oral fluid specimens totalling 1714 were tested for antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc), using an Immune Capture Enzyme Immune-Assay. Five specimens (0.29%) were found to contain anti-HBc. Adjusting for study desi gn, the estimated anti-HBc prevalence in the Republic of Ireland is 0.51%. This study demonstrates that self-collection of oral fluid samples is accep table to the public, and based upon the data generated, that the Republic o f Ireland has a low prevalence of hepatitis B infection.