title: Epidemiology of hepatitis B virus infection among recyclable waste collectors in central Brazil.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The collection of recyclable waste materials is a widespread activity among the urban poor. Today, this occupation attracts an increasingly large number of individuals. Despite its economic and environmental importance, this activity is associated with unsafe and unhealthy working conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the seroepidemiological profile of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in a population of recyclable waste collectors in central Brazil.
  
  
  METHODS
  Recyclable waste collectors from all 15 recycling cooperatives in Goiânia City were invited to participate in the study. The participants (n = 431) were interviewed and screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibodies against HBsAg (anti-HBs) and hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). HBsAg- and anti-HBc-positive samples were tested for HBV DNA and genotyped.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall prevalence of HBV infection (HBsAg- and/or anti-HBc-positive) was 12.8%. An age over 40 years and illicit drug use were associated with HBV infection. HBV DNA was detected in 2/3 HBsAg-positive samples and in 1/52 anti-HBc-positive/HBsAg-negative samples (an occult HBV infection rate of 1.9%), in which the genotypes/subgenotypes A/A1, D/D3 and F/F2 were identified. Only 12.3% of the recyclable waste collectors had serological evidence of previous HBV vaccination.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings highlight the vulnerability of recyclable waste collectors to HBV infection and reinforce the importance of public health policies that address the health and safety of this socially vulnerable population.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, GoiâniaGO, Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO.
authors.forename: Tamíris Augusto
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Marinho
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal de Goiás, GoiâniaGO, Faculdade de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO.
authors.forename: Carmen Luci Rodrigues
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Lopes
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal de Goiás, GoiâniaGO, Faculdade de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO.
authors.forename: Sheila Araújo
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Teles
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal de Goiás, GoiâniaGO, Faculdade de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO.
authors.forename: Marcos André de
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Matos
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, GoiâniaGO, Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO.
authors.forename: Márcia Alves Dias de
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Matos
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, GoiâniaGO, Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO.
authors.forename: Aline Garcia
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Kozlowski
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, GoiâniaGO, Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO.
authors.forename: Marina Pedroso de
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, GoiâniaGO, Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO.
authors.forename: Ágabo Macêdo da Costa E
authors.initials: ÁM
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, GoiâniaGO, Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO.
authors.forename: Regina Maria Bringel
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Martins
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D059027:Recycling; D014866:Waste Products
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D014866:Waste Products