title: Molecular epidemiology of hepatitis B virus in primitive tribes of Odisha, eastern India.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Among the indigenous population of India, Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs) are vulnerable to various health related events and some of the PTGs are showing a decline in population associated with high mortality rates. The present study was undertaken to define the prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection, its genetic characterization and possible risk factors for transmission in five PTGs in Odisha, India.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional observational studies were carried out in the Lodha, Saora, Khadia, Mankidia, and Juanga tribes residing in different parts of Odisha between 2006 and 2010.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) prevalence was 0.8%, 0.9%, 0.9%, 3.7%, and 1.7% in Lodha, Saora, Khadia, Mankidia, and Juanga tribes, respectively. While 54.8% of seropositive (HBsAg) cases demonstrated HBV DNA, occult HBV infection was observed in 19.48% of cases. High viral load with detectable 'e' antigen was found in 29% of HBsAg-positive individuals. All HBV isolates (n=17) were genotype D without pre-core mutants. Only 15.6% of HBV positive individuals had symptoms of hepatic disease, though none had severe manifestations. Multivariate analysis of the prevailing risk factors indicated that shaving by the village barber was significantly associated with HBV transmission in males. Tattooing was found to be significantly associated with females.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first report on HBV infection in PTGs of Odisha that suggests a high potential for transmission of HBV infection in two PTGs (Mankidia and Juanga). It warrants early public health attention in tribal populations vulnerable to HBV infection.
authors.forename: Bhagirathi
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dwibedi
authors.forename: Jyotsnamayee
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sabat
authors.forename: Lal M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: Shivram P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Prajyoti
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sahu
authors.forename: Rashmi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Arora
authors.forename: Shantanu K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Kar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D010802:Phylogeny; D044382:Population Groups; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D019562:Viral Load; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
keywords: HBV,; India; Odisha,; Primitive Tribal Groups,; Risk factors,