Control of HBV and HDV infection in an isolated Pacific Island: 1. Pattern of infection.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infections are known to be hyperendemic in Nauru. Because of the consequences of chronic HBV infection, the Nauruan Government has commenced a program that aims to reduce and eventually eliminate hepatitis B infection by immunizing susceptible adults and children on the island and every newborn baby. At the outset of this program, a national seroepidemiological survey was undertaken. Eighty-eight percent of the population were tested, of whom 69.1% had markers of HBV infection. Evidence of superinfection with HDV was found in 22.7% of HBV carriers, with the highest prevalence in adolescents and young adults. All seronegative individuals were offered three doses of plasma derived hepatitis B vaccine. A post-vaccination survey of 64% of those vaccinated showed that 98% had developed circulating antibodies.
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Macfarlane Burnet Centre for Medical Research, Fairfield Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
Dimitrakakis
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003699:Hepatitis D / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010139:Pacific Islands / Q000453:epidemiology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines
D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines