title: Prevalence of hepatitis C virus and other blood-borne viruses in Pygmies and neighbouring Bantus in southern Cameroon.
abstract: The prevalences of antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (anti-HIV), human T lymphotrophic virus (anti-HTLV) and of hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg) were determined in 168 subjects aged 12 years and over (108 Pygmies, 60 Bantus) living in south Cameroon. In 167 subjects, we found an estimated minimal anti-HCV prevalence of 13%. The prevalence was significantly higher in Bantus (31.7%) than in Pygmies (11.1%) and increased with age in both groups, albeit more rapidly in Bantus. The overall prevalence of HBsAg was 7.2% and correlated with neither sex nor ethnic group. No association was found between anti-HCV and HbsAg prevalence rates. No subject was confirmed to be positive for HTLV or HIV. These findings confirm the high prevalence of HCV infection in south Cameroon and indicate that even secluded population groups are affected.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, University of Yaoundé, Cameroon.
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Kowo
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Goubau
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Ndam
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Njoya
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sasaki
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Seghers
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kesteloot
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002163:Cameroon / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D002648:Child; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence
chemical_list: D015483:HIV Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies