Viral hepatitis in a Canadian First Nations community.
Serological markers for hepatitis A (HAV), B (HBV) and C (HCV) were documented in 315 inhabitants (27%) of a central Manitoba First Nations community. Serologic evidence of HAV infection (anti-HAV positive) was almost universal (92%) by the age of 20 years. HBV infection (antibody to hepatitis B core antigen positive) had occurred in only 2.3% of the study population and no chronic carriers were identified. Serological evidence of HCV infection (anti-HCV positive) was documented in 2.2% of the population but ongoing viremia (HCV-RNA positive by polymerase chain reaction) was absent. The results of this study highlight the importance of universal HAV vaccination; likely reflect the efficacy of existing prenatal screening and immunoprophylaxis programs for HBV; and raise the possibility that First Nations peoples have an enhanced ability to spontaneously clear HCV.
Department of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg. gminuk@cc.umanitoba.ca
G Y
GY
Minuk
M
M
Zhang
S G M
SG
Wong
J
J
Uhanova
C N
CN
Bernstein
B
B
Martin
M R
MR
Dawood
L
L
Vardy
A
A
Giulvi
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American; D008297:Male; D008350:Manitoba / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014611:Vaccination