title: Hyperendemic foci of hepatitis B infection in Arunachal Pradesh, India.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection among an isolated tribe of Northeast India that migrated long back from Tibet.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomly selected 438 subjects from Idu Mishmi tribe of Arunachal Pradesh were screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc), hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs), envelope antigen (HBeAg) using ELISA kits.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The point prevalence of HBsAg was found to be 21.2% (93/438). Anti-HBc prevalence was 92.3% (193/209). Anti-HBs above 10 IU/ml were detected in 48% (96/200). Prevalence of HBeAg was higher (42.1%, 16/38) in children (less than 15 years) compared to adolescent and adults (32.7%, 18/55). History of hepatitis was significantly associated with positive HBsAg status (p < 0.000).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hepatitis B virus infection is hyperendemic among Idu Mishmi tribe of Arunachal Pradesh, India. Though, the route of transmission could not be ascertained, but the high HBV infection (78.6%) among less than 5 yrs and the finding of 58.4% of HBsAg positive mothers bearing HBsAg positive child indicates possibility of vertical transmission in this setting.
authors.affiliation: Regional Medical Research Centre, North East Region (Indian Council of Medical Research), P.O. Box-105, Dibrugarh - 786001 Assam, India.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Biswas
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Borkakoty
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mahanta
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jampa
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Deouri
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005843:Geography; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens