Hepatitis A in Latin America: a changing epidemiologic pattern
Details
Serval ID
serval:BIB_EED9F324695B
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Hepatitis A in Latin America: a changing epidemiologic pattern
Journal
American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiène
ISSN
0002-9637 (Print)
Publication state
Published
Issued date
11/1999
Volume
61
Number
5
Pages
825-9
Notes
Journal Article
Multicenter Study
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't --- Old month value: Nov
Multicenter Study
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't --- Old month value: Nov
Abstract
In a multicenter study, hepatitis A virus (HAV) seroprevalence was surveyed in six countries in Latin America in which in 12,000 subjects were stratified for age. The highest rates of seroprevalence were recorded in the Dominican Republic (89.0%) and Mexico (81.0%), with lower rates in Brazil (64.7%), Chile (58.1%), Venezuela (55.7%), and Argentina (55.0%). The seroprevalence of HAV in children between 1 and 5 years of age was less than 50%, except in the Dominican Republic. In the 5-10-year-old age group, seroprevalence rates have also decreased compared with previous reports. This suggests that the epidemiology is shifting from high to intermediate endemicity, with the population susceptible to HAV infection shifting from children to adolescents and adults. Furthermore, data from Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico show that HAV seroprevalence is significantly lower in people living in medium and high socioeconomic conditions. This study suggests the need for appropriate vaccination programs to be implemented targeting children, adolescents, and adults, particularly in higher socioeconomic groups.
Keywords
Adolescent
Adult
Age Distribution
Child
Child, Preschool
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Hepatitis A/*epidemiology
Hepatitis A Antibodies
Hepatitis Antibodies/blood
Hepatovirus/*immunology
Humans
Immunoenzyme Techniques
Infant
Latin America/epidemiology
Male
Seroepidemiologic Studies
Sex Distribution
Social Class
Pubmed
Web of science
Create date
24/01/2008 20:10
Last modification date
20/08/2019 16:16