Seroepidemiology of hepatitis A among Greek children indicates that the virus is still prevalent: Implications for universal vaccination.
A national cross-sectional seroprevalence survey was conducted in order to evaluate the current seroepidemiology of hepatitis A among 1,383 children, aged 0-14 years, residing in Greece. Stratification of the study population was conducted according to age and area of residence. Sera from study participants were tested for the presence of anti-HAV IgG antibodies. Immigrant children, as well as children residing in rural areas, had lower immunization rates. Among unvaccinated children, the seroprevalence rate of anti-HAV was 17.1%. Nationality was shown to have a marginally significant effect since non-immunized immigrant children had a higher seroprevalence rate (22.4% vs. 15.9%, OR = 1.52, P = 0.064). Significant differences between geographic areas for both vaccination coverage and natural immunity were observed. The study findings indicate that hepatitis A is prevalent in Greece and therefore universal infant hepatitis A immunization should be implemented.
Kyrka
A
A
2nd Department of Pediatrics, University of Athens Medical School, "A. Kyriakou" Children's Hospital, Goudi, Athens, Greece.
Tragiannidis
A
A
Cassimos
D
D
Pantelaki
K
K
Tzoufi
M
M
Mavrokosta
M
M
Pedeli
X
X
Athanassiadou
F
F
Hatzimichael
A
A
Konstantopoulos
A
A
Kafetzis
D
D
Papaevangelou
V
V
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D035922:Hepatitis A Antibodies / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D022362:Hepatitis A Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D030041:Hepatitis A virus / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D035922:Hepatitis A Antibodies; D022362:Hepatitis A Vaccines