title: [Hepatitis B and C infection in late repatriates].
abstract: 105 late repatriates returning to Germany mostly from Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan were tested for present or past viral hepatitis B and 97 of them also for hepatitis C. Anti-HBc was found in 20% (95%-CI: 12,3-31,6%) and Anti-HCV in 3% (95%-CI: 1,3-8,0%) of tested individuals. 5% of tested persons were positive by PCR for HBV-DNA or HCV-DNA and therefore probably source of infection forthese viruses. All PCR positive individuals were not aware of their infection. Prevalence of hepatitis B and C infection was significantly higher than in the general population of Germany. Testing for viral hepatitis Band C should be offered to all late repatriates returning from areas with elevated prevalence of parenterally transmitted viral hepatitis. Further monitoring of the prevalence of viral hepatitis should be done in this group.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung Arbeitsmedizin des Bezirks Unterfranken, Lohr.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Holbach
authors.forename: G G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Frösner
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Holbach
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dittmeier
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002353:Carrier State / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004641:Emigration and Immigration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005061:Europe, Eastern / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009786:Occupational Health Services