title: Prevalence of hepatitis a antibodies in western Indian population: changing pattern.
abstract: This report pertains to a retrospective study conducted between 1983 and 1995 at three time points to evaluate the prevalence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection in the population of Bhor Taluk, situated in western India. Serum samples from children and adults were tested for anti-HAV antibodies using blocking ELISA test. There was a significant decrease in anti-HAV prevalence among children aged 5-10 years in 1995 (87.36%) as compared to that of 1983 (97.58%) and 1987 (96.48%). All individuals >11 years of age were seropositive for anti-HAV antibodies. Anti-HAV prevalence was similar in the users of well water, but was significantly reduced in individuals supplied with piped water in 1995 (88.61%) compared with that in 1983 (98.77%). A significant decrease in anti-HAV positivity was noted in children from Bhor Taluk as compared to children from Pune bled in 1992. These results underline the need for periodic surveillance of seroepidemiology of hepatitis A to determine the measures for prevention and control of the disease.
authors.affiliation: Hepatitis Department, National Institute of Virology, Pune, India.
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Chitambar
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Chadha
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Joshi
authors.forename: V A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Arankalle
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012423:Rural Health / Q000639:trends; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014504:Urban Health / Q000639:trends; D014881:Water Supply
chemical_list: D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies