title: [Serum antibodies against hepatitis A virus among subjects of middle and low socioeconomic levels in urban area of Santiago, Chile].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The epidemiology of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is closely associated to the level of hygiene and sanitation of the population. Newly industrialising areas experience a transition from high to intermediate endemicity, which is characterized by a shift in the exposure age to HAV, from early childhood to school ages or adolescence.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To measure the prevalence of HAV antibodies in subjects living in urban Santiago.
  
  
  METHODS
  A HAV antibody survey in five medium and low socioeconomic level urban districts of northern Santiago, was conducted in 1996. Healthy subjects aged 1 to 39 years old were recruited from randomly selected households.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five hundred three subjects were studied. Anti HAV antibodies were found in 13.2, 29.5, 59.6, 78.1, 95.6 and 98.2% of individuals aged 1 to 4, 5 to 9, 10 to 14, 15 to 19, 20 to 29 and 30 to 39 years old, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The profile of positive antibodies is compatible with an intermediate pattern of transmission of HAV. The current data supports the idea that infection is shifting towards older ages. A progressive increase in the number of susceptible school age children and teenagers is propitious for the occurrence of common source hepatitis A outbreaks.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Roberto del Río, Santiago.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lagos
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Potin
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Muñoz
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Abrego
authors.forename: O S
authors.initials: OS
authors.lastname: San Martín
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Ureta
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bustamante
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002677:Chile / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006507:Hepatovirus / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014505:Urban Population
chemical_list: D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies
vernacular_title: Anticuerpos séricos contra el virus hepatitis A en sujetos de nivel socioeconómico medio y bajo, en comunas urbanas de Santiago.