title: Prevalence of serological markers and risk factors for bloodborne pathogens in Salvador, Bahia state, Brazil.
abstract: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of serological markers for HIV-1/2, HBV, HCV, Treponema cruzi and T. pallidum infections. The association of these infections with risk factors in a population from Salvador, Bahia, Brazil was also analysed. Of the 780 enrolled individuals, 545 (70%) were female and 235 (30%) were male. Seroprevalence of 0·8% (6/702), 1·3% (9/678), 1·5% (10/684), 3·5% (23/663) and 11·5% (77/668) for HIV-1/2, HBV, HCV, T. cruzi and T. pallidum infections, respectively, was observed. The seroprevalence of T. pallidum was higher in males 20% (43/210) than in females 7% (34/458) (P < 0·01). An association between age and seroprevalence for T. cruzi (P = 0·02) and T. pallidum (P < 0·01) was observed. HBsAg was associated with having tattoos (3/37 vs. 6/623, P = 0·01) and not having a steady sexual partner (5/141 vs. 4/473, P = 0·04), while anti-HIV-1/2 was associated with having tattoos (2/39 vs. 4/647, P = 0·04); however, larger studies are needed to categorically state the relationship of these risk factors with infectious agents. The prevalence of serological markers for HIV-1/2, HBV, HCV and T. cruzi was consistent with other studies.
authors.affiliation: Immunology Service of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Bahia state, Brazil.
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Matos
authors.forename: A L S R
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Jesus
authors.forename: K C M C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Pedroza
authors.forename: H R S
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Sodre
authors.forename: T L H
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.forename: F W M
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Lima
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017848:Blood-Borne Pathogens / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D013653:Tattooing / Q000009:adverse effects; D014211:Treponemal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D055815:Young Adult