Changing patterns of hepatitis A and E sero-prevalences in children after the 1999 earthquakes in Duzce, Turkey.
OBJECTIVE
Hepatitis A and E are enteric viral diseases that are characteristically found in developing countries. Sero-epidemiological data about both infections showed higher prevalence rates soon after the 1999 earthquakes in Duzce, Turkey. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the data 4 years after the earthquakes.


METHODS
The study group included 589 children (72.3% boys) who were between the ages of 6 months and 17 years (mean age 11.5 years). The children were separated into three groups: Group 1 (ages 6 months to 5.9 years), Group 2 (ages 6.0-12.9 years) and Group 3 (ages 13.0-17.0 years). Serum anti-hepatitis A virus IgG and anti-hepatitis E virus IgG were determined using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. The data were tested for statistical significance with the chi(2)-test.


RESULTS
The sero-prevalence rates of hepatitis A and E were 63.8% and 0.3%, respectively. The sero-prevalence rates of both hepatitis A and E increased with age, and there was no significant difference between the genders. Hepatitis A infection was associated with socio-economic condition, crowded living environment, and education level of the family (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Hepatitis A infection is still common, whereas hepatitis E infection appears to be relatively rare in paediatric age groups in Duzce, Turkey.
Kaya
Ayse Demet
AD
Department of Microbiology, Medical Faculty, Duzce University, Konuralp, Duzce, Turkey.
Ozturk
C Elif
CE
Yavuz
Taner
T
Ozaydin
Cigdem
C
Bahcebasi
Talat
T
D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004190:Disasters; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000453:epidemiology*; D017957:Hepatitis A Virus, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D016751:Hepatitis E / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016752:Hepatitis E virus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology
D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies