title: Do bedbugs transmit hepatitis B?
abstract: An intervention study was done over two years in seven Gambian villages to determine the contribution of bedbugs to hepatitis B transmission. In addition, fortnightly questionnaires were completed for each child to assess other possible routes of transmission. The intervention, insecticide spraying of the child's dwelling, was highly effective in reducing exposure to bedbugs but there was no effect on hepatitis B infection. No other risk factor for transmission was identified despite a consistent village-to-village variation in the rate of childhood infection. The major mode of transmission of hepatitis B in childhood remains unknown.
authors.affiliation: International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO), Banjul, The Gambla.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vall Mayans
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Inskip
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Lindsay
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chotard
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mendy
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Whittle
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001511:Bedbugs / Q000382:microbiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005714:Gambia; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007300:Insect Control; D007303:Insect Vectors; D007306:Insecticides; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D026023:Permethrin; D011722:Pyrethrins
chemical_list: D007306:Insecticides; D011722:Pyrethrins; D026023:Permethrin