A cross-sectional epidemiological study of HBV, HCV, HDV and HEV prevalence in the SubCarpathian and South-Eastern regions of Romania.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the prevalence of HBV, HCV, HDV and HEV infections in populations with different categories of risk and the seroprevalence of HBV and HCV infections in subjects asking for a medical examination.


METHODS
We conducted a cross-sectional, epidemiological study in 2,851 subjects from the SubCarpathian and South-Eastern Romania (including 17 counties, 34% of the country area and 42% of the population). The subjects were divided into four groups: controls (n=2,540, i.e. consecutive subjects asking for a medical examination), subjects with very low risk (students; n=44), with low risk (doctors and nurses; n=93) and with high risk for viral hepatitis (hemodialysis patients; n=174). All subjects were screened for HBsAg, antiHCV and ALT level. In populations at risk, antiHBs, HBeAg, antiHBe, antiHBc (IgG), HBV-DNA, HCV-RNA, antiHDV(IgG) and antiHEV(IgG) were also assessed.


RESULTS
In controls, HBV seroprevalence was 5.59% and HCV seroprevalence 4.56%. The risk factors for HBV infection were: age, male gender and South-East region of Romania. The risk factors for HCV infection were: age, female gender, elevated ALT level and the South-East region of Romania. In the very low risk population HBV, HCV, HDV and HEV seroprevalence was: 2.27%, 0%, 0% and 12.5%, respectively. In low risk population the seroprevalence was 2.15%, 1.07%, 0% and 13.98%. In hemodialysis patients, HBV and HCV seroprevalence were 7.91%, respectively 39.26%. HCV-RNA was detectable in 20.69% cases.


CONCLUSIONS
In the South and South-Eastern Romania the seroprevalence of viral hepatitis infections is intermediate, similar to other Romanian regions or the Balkans.
Voiculescu
Mihai
M
Center of Internal Medicine-Nephrology, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Sos. Fundeni 258, Bucharest, Romania. mih@xnet.ro
Iliescu
Laura
L
Ionescu
Camelia
C
Micu
Laurentiu
L
Ismail
Gener
G
Zilisteanu
Diana
D
Radasan
Andreea
A
Micu
Georgia
G
Pertache
Ioana
I
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D003699:Hepatitis D / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003698:Hepatitis Delta Virus / Q000276:immunology; D016751:Hepatitis E / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016752:Hepatitis E virus / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D015995:Prevalence; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012383:Romania / Q000453:epidemiology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult
D015415:Biomarkers; D004279:DNA, Viral; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral; D000410:Alanine Transaminase