title: [Epidemiology of viral hepatitis in Mexico].
abstract: The main etiology of liver disease in Mexico is alcohol and viral hepatitis. The aim of the present study was to analyze the current epidemiology of viral hepatitis in Mexico. From 2000 to 2007 the Ministry of Health reported 192 588 cases of hepatitis, 79% HAV, 3.3% HBV, 6% HCV, and 12% without a specific etiologic factor. Due to high endemic areas for HBV infection in native Mexican population, limitations in the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the serological immunoassays used to date and presence of occult hepatitis B in the country, the real prevalence of HBV infection could be even higher than HCV in Mexico. Hepatitis E virus in cirrhotic patients and in porcine farms could at least partially explain the cases of hepatitis that are diagnosed without a specific etiologic agent. Specific strategies to establish control regulations against viral hepatitis infections in Mexico are proposed.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Biología Molecular en Medicina Servicio de Infectología Pediátrica, Antiguo Hospital Civil de Guadalajara Fray Antonio Alcalde, Guadalajara, México. apanduro@prodigy.net.mx
authors.forename: Arturo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Panduro
authors.forename: Griselda
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Escobedo Meléndez
authors.forename: Nora A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Fierro
authors.forename: Bertha
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ruiz Madrigal
authors.forename: Eloy Alfonso
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Zepeda-Carrillo
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Román
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015897:Comorbidity; D004197:Disease Reservoirs; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D005260:Female; D006281:Health Occupations; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012698:Serologic Tests; D013552:Swine / Q000821:virology; D055815:Young Adult