title: The prevalence of viral hepatitis among the Hmong people of northern Thailand.
abstract: Sera from 269 Hmong people (102 males and 167 females, with mean age 35.4 years, range 16-63 years) were examined in order to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis virus infection. The seroprevalence rates for HAV (hepatitis A virus), HBV (hepatitis B virus), HCV (hepatitis C virus), HDV (hepatitis D virus), HEV (hepatitis E virus), HGV (hepatitis G virus) and TTV (TT virus) infection were 87.8% (n=140), 76.0% (n=150), 2.0% (n=150), 0.7% (n=150), 6.5% (n=139), 5.3% (n=94) and 25.6% (n=121) respectively. The rate for carriers of HBV (HBsAg) was 13.8% (20.5% in males and 9.6% females) with a peak prevalence in the 21-40 year age group. A high rate of HAV seropositivity was found among the younger subjects. The rate of HEV seroprevalence was low. The prevalence of TTV-DNA was high with no difference between the sexes. HGV-RNA prevalence was low and seen primarily in males. This study indicates that the Hmong people are endemically infected with HAV and HBV infection and should be considered for targeted vaccination. The role of TTV and HGV in producing illness and hepatic disease has yet to be determined in this population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Louisirirotchanakul
authors.forename: K S A
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Myint
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Srimee
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kanoksinsombat
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Khamboonruang
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kunstadter
authors.forename: Chantapong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wasi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D002353:Carrier State / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology*; D002648:Child; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D019353:Endemic Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D029407:GB virus C / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D030041:Hepatitis A virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006518:Hepatitis Viruses / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology; D022783:Torque teno virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D014611:Vaccination
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D012367:RNA, Viral