PREVALENCE OF ANTIBODIES TO HEPATITIS-A, HEPATITIS-C, AND HEPATITIS-EVIRUSES IN DIFFERENT ETHNIC-GROUPS IN FRENCH-GUIANA

In order to determine the prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis A, C, and E viruses (HAV, HCV, and HEV) in the various ethnic groups and are as of French Guiana, sera (996 for HCV and HEV, 941 for HAV) were test ed for antibodies to these viruses using ELISAs. Differences in HAV se roprevalence were found for different age groups, with a large increas e in people aged 20-30 years in comparison with those under 20. After logistic analysis, significant differences were found between places o f residence; the prevalence of anti-HAV was higher along the Maroni an d Oyapock rivers than in the littoral area. The ethnic differences tha t were observed were generally due to differences in residence. Of ail sera, 5.3% were positive for anti-HCV in preliminary tests, but only 1.5% remained positive after confirmation. Brazilians were significant ly more frequently infected by HCV than other ethnic groups (4.7%). Si xty-four sera (6.4%) had antibodies to HEV, and differences were found between ethnic groups. Persons of ethnic groups who had emigrated rec ently to French Guiana had significantly higher seroprevalence rates: 14.6% for Chinese and Hmongs [odds ratio (OR), 4.4; 95% confidence int erval (CI), 1.8-10.7], 13.5% for Brazilians (OR, 4.1; CI, 1.8-9.4), an d 10.6% for Haitians (OR, 3.1; CI, 1.1-8.7). (C) 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.