title: [Prevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses in different counties of Catalonia, Spain: cross-sectional study].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There are few data available in our community regarding the prevalence of hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) virus infection in the general population.
  
  
  METHODS
  The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and serologic characteristics of HBV and HCV in Catalonia. For this purpose, HBsAg and anti-HCV were assessed in serum aliquots obtained from a sample of 2194 individuals, who were chosen at random out from different Catalonian counties. In those cases in which any of the markers were positive, the following analyses were performed afterwards: serum transaminases, HBV-DNA detection by PCR (in HBsAg positives) and HCV-RNA detection by PCR and genotypes (in antiHCV positives). All subjects yielding positive results were interviewed in order to determine possible risk factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HBV prevalence was 1.69% (95% CI, 1.62-1.76) and that of HCV was 2.64% (95% CI, 2.53-2.75). HCV prevalence increased with age (1.7% in younger than 50 years and 3.6% in older than 50 years, p < 0.01), but not that of HBV. Only a small proportion (12.1%) of HBV carriers had detectable HBV-DNA levels. On the contrary, quite an important proportion of HCV carriers (68.6%) had detectable HCV-RNA levels. Predominant HCV genotype was 1 (79.3%). Transaminases levels were within normal limits in many HBV and HCV carriers (70.9 and 60%, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prevalence of HBV and HCV in Catalonia was 1.69% and 2.64%, respectively. Most HCV carriers had positive serum HCV-RNA, whereas serum HBV-DNA was negative in most HBV carriers
authors.affiliation: Societat Catalana de Digestologia, Acadèmia de Ciències Mèdiques de Catalunya i Balears, Barcelona, Spain. 35783M@imas.imim.es
authors.forename: Ricard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Solà
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cruz De Castro
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hombrados
authors.forename: Ramón
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Planas
authors.forename: Susanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Coll
authors.forename: Rosend
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jardí
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sunyer
authors.forename: Maria Isabel
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Covas
authors.forename: Jaume
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Marrugat
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D006580:Genetic Carrier Screening / Q000379:methods; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015995:Prevalence; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D000637:Transaminases / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D012367:RNA, Viral; D000637:Transaminases