title: Epidemiological study of hepatitis A, B and C in the largest Afro-Brazilian isolated community.
abstract: This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence and molecular epidemiological features of viral hepatitis A, B and C in the Kalunga population, which represents the largest Afro-Brazilian isolated community. Among 878 individuals studied, the overall prevalence of anti-hepatitis A virus antibodies was 80.9%, with a significant rise from 44.8% to near 100% between the first and fourth decade of life. Rates for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) of 1.8% and 35.4%, respectively, were found. Increasing age, male gender, illiteracy and history of multiple sexual partners were associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. An occult HBV infection rate of 1.7% (5/295) was found among anti-HBc-positive individuals. HBV genotype A (subtype Aa) was dominant in this community. Only 5/878 individuals (0.6%) were positive for anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV RNA was detected in three of them, who were infected with genotype 1 (subtype 1a). These findings point out high, intermediate and low endemicity for hepatitis A, B and C, respectively, in the Kalunga community in Brazil. Circulation of HBV genotype A (subtype Aa) in this Afro-Brazilian isolated community indicates the introduction of this virus during the slave trade from Africa to Brazil.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG), Caixa Postal 131, CEP 74605-050, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
authors.forename: Márcia A D
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Matos
authors.forename: Nádia Rúbia S
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Reis
authors.forename: Aline G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Kozlowski
authors.forename: Sheila A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Teles
authors.forename: Ana Rita C
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Motta-Castro
authors.forename: Francisco C A
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Mello
authors.forename: Selma A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.forename: Regina M B
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Martins
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000349:Africa / Q000208:ethnology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000276:immunology; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000276:immunology; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens