Human T-lymphotropic virus type-I, and hepatitis A, B and C viruses in Nepal: a serological survey.
In 1987, 676 blood samples were collected from inhabitants of the Bhadrakali and Kotyang villages in Nepal. The samples were tested for the prevalence of antibody to hepatitis A virus (anti-HAV), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc), second-generation antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) and antibody to human T-lymphotropic virus type-I (anti-HTLV-I). Anti-HAV was present in 99.3% of the people surveyed. The prevalence of anti-HAV reached 100% in the < 25 age group and was as high or only slightly lower in all other age groups. The prevalence of HBsAg was 0.3% and of anti-HBc 7.7%. Anti-HCV was found in 0.1% of the residents. No significant difference by gender or village was noted in the prevalence of anti-HAV, HBsAg, anti-HBc, or anti-HCV. No anti-HTLV-I-positive persons were identified. These data suggest that the prevalence of hepatitis B and C virus infections in Nepal is low in contrast to hepatitis A virus infection, and that human T-lymphotropic type-I infection may be absent in this population.
Nakashima
K
K
Department of General Medicine, Kyushu University Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan.
Kashiwagi
S
S
Noguchi
A
A
Hirata
M
M
Hayashi
J
J
Kawasaki
T
T
Uezono
K
K
Itoh
K
K
Acharya
G P
GP
Ogata
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D015481:HTLV-I Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D015490:HTLV-I Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000453:epidemiology*; D035922:Hepatitis A Antibodies; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006507:Hepatovirus / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009390:Nepal / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution
D015481:HTLV-I Antibodies; D035922:Hepatitis A Antibodies; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies