A community prevalence study of antibodies to hepatitis A and E in inner-city London.
The seroprevalence of antibodies to hepatitis E virus (HEV) and hepatitis A virus (HAV) was determined in a community-based sample in innercity London where socioeconomic conditions were expected to result in a high prevalence of antibodies to HAV, and in which the presence of immigrants from the developing world pose a risk of imported infection of both HAV and HEV. The seroprevalence of anti-HAV was 45.1% in UK born subjects and 69.7% in non-UK born subjects and each group showed differing patterns of age-specific seroprevalence. The seroprevalence rates of anti-HEV was 3.9% in UK born subjects and 8.8% in non-UK born subjects. The age-specific seroprevalence of the UK born group is suggestive of a cohort effect. The data suggest a low circulation of HEV in inner-city London, remaining uncommon relative to HAV.
Bernal
W
W
Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
Smith
H M
HM
Williams
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003153:Community Health Services; D005260:Female; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D035922:Hepatitis A Antibodies; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D016751:Hepatitis E / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D016752:Hepatitis E virus / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006507:Hepatovirus / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000097:blood; D008131:London; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence
D035922:Hepatitis A Antibodies; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007136:Immunoglobulins