title: Prevalence of hepatitis virus infections in an institution for persons with developmental disabilities.
abstract: In 1994-1995, we collected medical and serologic data on viral hepatitis infection on 1,235 residents of Sonoma Developmental Center. Residents were mostly White and had lived in the Center over 10 years. Only 3 residents (.3%) had hepatitis C virus infection, and 633 (60.2%) had past or current hepatitis B virus infection. The prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection rose rapidly with longer residence in institutions. Past hepatitis A virus infection had occurred in 494 residents (42.1%). The rise in its prevalence with duration of residence was much less than that seen with hepatitis B virus infection. Although hepatitis C virus infection was relatively rare at the Center, many residents had past hepatitis A and hepatitis B virus infections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. baw4@cdc.gov
authors.forename: Bradley A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Woodruff
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vazquez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007326:Institutionalization; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013997:Time Factors