title: [Hepatitis A, B, and C in an occupational center for the mentally handicapped].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Estimation of prevalence of serologic markers of viral hepatitis A, B and C in students and staff of an occupational centre in Castellón (Spain).
  
  
  METHODS
  Serologic markers of hepatitis A (IgG anti-HAV) and B (HBsAg, anti-HBe, anti-HBc, anti-HBs) were detected by radioimmunoassay (RIA) and serologic markers of hepatitis C (anti-HCV) by immunoradiometric assay (IRMA). Ninety per cent of students (54/60) and 80% of staff (8/10) participated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of IgG anti-HVA was 55.6% in students and 75% in staff, increasing with age. Considering persons not vaccinated against hepatitis B, the prevalence of serologic markers hepatitis B was 18.5% in students, two HBsAg and anti-HBe positive, and nobody in staff. Serologic markers hepatitis B was associated with duration of stay institutions for mentally handicapped. None of the center was positive for anti-HCV.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Viral hepatitis prevalences present notable differences. To maintain a serological surveillance of these diseases is important to control and prevention.
authors.affiliation: Sección de Epidemiología, Centro de Salud Pública, Castellón.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Arnedo
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Latorre
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Pac
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Safont
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Guillén
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Aguinaga
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D035922:Hepatitis A Antibodies; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012759:Sheltered Workshops; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D035922:Hepatitis A Antibodies; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies
vernacular_title: Hepatitis A, B y C en un centro ocupacional para disminuidos psíquicos.