Seroepidemiologic investigations of hepatitis in the tropics. A study on volunteers of the German volunteer service.
Sera from 349 volunteers of the German Volunteer service (GVS), who had lived in tropical or subtropical countries for about two years were tested for Hepatitis B surface antigen two years were tested for Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBS-antigen), antibody to Hepatitis B surface antigen (anti--HBS), and antibody to Hepatitis A antigen (anti-HA) by radioimmunoassay. The findings were compared with those from a control group whose sex, age and occupational status corresponded with the volunteer group. The incidence of HBS-antigen was equal in both groups (1%). Anti-HA was found in 34% and anti-HBS in 19% of the volunteers but only in 26% and 7%, respectively, of the members of the control group. The greatest occurence of anti-HA was found among volunteers of the health service (46%) and technical service (35%) and of anti-HBS among the health service (29%), economic service (26%) and agricultural service (21%). Returned volunteers from West Africa showed a higher frequency (anti-HA 38%, anti-HBS 30%) than those from other countries (anti-HA 30%, anti-HBS 17%). The increased frequency of hepatitis corresponded with an increase in the morbidity rate from 25.5/10 000/year prior to service to 244/10 000/year during the service.
D000328:Adult; D000349:Africa; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D001208:Asia; D005260:Female; D005860:Germany, West / Q000208:ethnology; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006507:Hepatovirus / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013020:South America; D014329:Tropical Climate; D014900:West Indies
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens