Prevalence of antibody to hepatitis A virus in a Canadian Inuit community.
To determine the prevalence of hepatitis A in a Canadian Inuit population, serum from 85% of the 850 inhabitants of Baker Lake, Northwest Territories, was tested by radioimmunoassay for antibody to the hepatitis A virus (anti-HAV). The overall prevalence of anti-HAV in the community was 71%. Exposure to the virus occurred early in life, such that by the age of 6 years 53% of the children had anti-HAV in their serum. The rate approached 100% by the age of 50 years. These findings document the ubiquitous nature of the hepatitis A virus in this northern Inuit settlement and suggest that immunoprophylaxis be considered for individuals taking short-term employment in such places.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D002170:Canada; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D035922:Hepatitis A Antibodies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D004930:Inuit; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D011863:Radioimmunoassay
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D035922:Hepatitis A Antibodies