Serologic indices of hepatitis B virus infection in military recruits in Greece (2004-2005).
BACKGROUND
The prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection in Greece has been decreasing over the last decades. However, recent epidemiological data are lacking.


METHODS
We studied 1,840 Army recruits from 05/2004 until 10/2005, and performed serological testing for HBsAg, anti-HBsAg, and anti-HBcAg. We also examined their association with several factors, including age, residential area, socioeconomic class, and educational level.


RESULTS
Mean age (+/- SD) of the recruits was 20.5 (+/- 2.1) years. Antibodies to HBV core antigen [anti-HBcAg (+)] were found in 31 (1.68%) of 1,840 participants. Only 6 (0.32%) were HBsAg (+)/anti-HBsAg (-)/anti-HBcAg (+), while 21 (1.14%) were HBsAg (-)/anti-HBsAg (+)/anti-HBcAg (+), and 4 (0.22%) were HBsAg (-)/anti-HBsAg (-)/anti-HBcAg (+). Overall, 1,144 recruits (62.17%) had antibodies against HBsAg [HBsAg (-)/anti-HBsAg (+)/anti-HBcAg (-)]; 665 recruits (36.14%) had undetectable anti-HBsAg levels. Multivariable analysis showed that younger age (OR: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.82-0.92) and advanced educational level (OR: 1.59; 95% CI: 1.32-1.93) were independently associated with serologic evidence suggestive of previous HBV vaccination.


CONCLUSIONS
We document a further decline of the prevalence of chronic HBV infection among Greek military recruits, a fact that may support the effectiveness of the ongoing immunization programme.
German
Vasilios
V
Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, 401 Army General Hospital of Athens, Greece. vgerman@panafonet.gr <vgerman@panafonet.gr>
Giannakos
Georgios
G
Kopterides
Petros
P
Liaskonis
Konstantinos
K
Falagas
Matthew E
ME
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000276:immunology; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014611:Vaccination
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines