title: Prevalence of hepatitis B anti-core antibody in the Republic of Ireland.
abstract: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis B exposure in the population of the Republic of Ireland, by measuring the prevalence of hepatitis B anti-core antibody in oral fluid collected by postal survey. A random multi-stage stratified sample of Irish households was obtained, using the Irish electoral register as the sampling frame. A total of 962 households were selected, and a household response rate of 60.4% was achieved. Oral fluid specimens totalling 1714 were tested for antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc), using an Immune Capture Enzyme Immuno-Assay. Five specimens (0.29%) were found to contain anti-HBc. Adjusting for study design, the estimated anti-HBc prevalence in the Republic of Ireland is 0.51%. This study demonstrates that self-collection of oral fluid samples is acceptable to the public, and based upon the data generated, that the Republic of Ireland has a low prevalence of hepatitis B infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Eastern Regional Health Authority, Dr Stecuens Hospital, Dublin.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: O'Connell
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Thornton
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: O'Flanagan
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Staines
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Connell
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dooley
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: McCormack
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D000917:Antibody Formation; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012463:Saliva / Q000821:virology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013048:Specimen Handling
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens