title: Prevalence of hepatitis B and C markers in a population of an urban university in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Epidemics of hepatitis B and C are a public health burden, and their prevalence in Brazil varies among regions. We determined the prevalence of hepatitis markers in an urban university population in order to support the development of a comprehensive program for HBV immunization and HBV/HCV diagnosis. Students, employees, and visitors (n = 2,936, 31 years IQR 24.5-50, female = 69.0% and 81.1% with at least 12 years of education) were enrolled from May to November 2013. Antibodies against hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs), against hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc), and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) were detected with enzyme immunoassays and anti-hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) antibodies with a chemiluminescence immunoassay. The results were confirmed with polymerase chain reaction for HCV and nucleic acid amplification test for hepatitis B virus (HBV).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall prevalence of markers among the participants was 0.136% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.003-0.270) for HBsAg, 6.44% (95% CI: 5.55-7.33%) for anti-HBc, 50.8% (95% CI: 48.9-52.7%) for anti-HBs > 10 mIU/mL, and 0.44% (95% CI: 0.20-0.68) for anti-HCV. Almost 30.4% had anti-HBs titers > 100 mIU/mL. Participants with a detectable HCV viral load (n = 9) were infected with genotype 1a.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In an urban university population, in which 80% of participants had > 11 years of education, prevalence increased with age, and self-declared ethnicity for anti-HBc and with age, marital status and professional activity for anti-HCV antibodies. A periodical offer of HCV rapid testing should be implemented, and HBsAg rapid testing should be offered to individuals above 20 years of age.
authors.affiliation: Master Program in Health, Laboratory Medicine and Forensic Technology.
authors.forename: Félix P D
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.affiliation: Molecular Virology Laboratory, Biology Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Orlando C
authors.initials: OC
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.affiliation: Clinical Pathology Service, Policlínica Piquet Carneiro.
authors.forename: Daniele B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Olmedo
authors.affiliation: Histocompatibility and Cryopreservation Laboratory, Roberto Alcantara Gomes Institute, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Patrícia M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Precioso
authors.affiliation: Master Program in Health, Laboratory Medicine and Forensic Technology.
authors.forename: Fernanda R S
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Barquette
authors.affiliation: Histocompatibility and Cryopreservation Laboratory, Roberto Alcantara Gomes Institute, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Magda C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Castilho
authors.affiliation: Master Program in Health, Laboratory Medicine and Forensic Technology.
authors.forename: Suely G C
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Histocompatibility and Cryopreservation Laboratory, Roberto Alcantara Gomes Institute, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luís Cristóvão
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Pôrto
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010641:Phenotype; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014495:Universities; D014504:Urban Health; D019562:Viral Load; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D004279:DNA, Viral; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies