Seroprevalences of hepatitis B and C viruses and Helicobacter pylori infection in a small, isolated population at high risk of gastric and liver cancer.
The objective of this study was to examine the seroprevalences of chronic infection with hepatitis B and C viruses and Helicobacter pylori in Matzu, a group of small islets with 5,566 civilian residents who have extremely high mortality from cancers of the stomach and liver. The standardized mortality ratios (SMR) of all cancer sites combined, liver cancer and stomach cancer in 1984-1993 were calculated using the general population in Taiwan as the referent (SMR = 100). The SMRs (95% confidence interval) for all cancer sites combined, liver cancer and stomach cancer were 160 (131-195), 252 (170-360) and 351 (229-516), respectively, in Matzu. A health survey was carried out with 1,485 civilian residents aged 30 years or more, giving a response rate of 69% among those who were eligible. Serum samples were tested for antibodies against Helicobacter pylori (anti-HP) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibodies against hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) by enzyme immunoassay. The seroprevalence was 61% for anti-HP, 24.7% for HBsAg and 1.8% for anti-HCV in Matzu. While mortality rates of liver and stomach cancers were significantly higher in Matzu than in Taiwan, the seroprevalences of anti-HP, HBsAg and anti-HCV in Matzu were similar to or even lower than those in Taiwan. These findings suggest the existence of risk factors other than microbial agents involved in the development of stomach and liver cancers.
Chen
S Y
SY
Graduate Institute of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei (Republic of China).
Liu
T Y
TY
Chen
M J
MJ
Lin
J T
JT
Sheu
J C
JC
Chen
C J
CJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000276:immunology*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000821:virology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000401:mortality; D013624:Taiwan
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies