Published in:
Open Access 01-12-2018 | Research article
Determination of hepatitis B, C and D prevalence among urban and Amerindian populations from the Eastern Brazilian Amazon: a cross sectional study
Published in: BMC Infectious Diseases | Issue 1/2018
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Background
This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of HBV, HCV, and HDV in urban populations and Amerindians living in the state of Tocantins (Eastern Amazon).
Methods
A total of 948 individuals were recruited in Tocantinopolis city (Tocantins state) of whom 603 were Amerindians (from 6 tribes) and 345 were non-Amerindians (6 urban areas of Tocantinópolis city). Anti-HCV, HBsAg, anti-HBc, anti-HBs, anti-HBc IgM, anti-HBe, HBeAg, and anti-delta antibodies were determined using enzyme immunoassay.
Results
HBV cleared infection (both anti-HBc/anti-HBs+), chronic inactive/immune controlled HBV infection (anti-HBc + only), previous HBV vaccination (anti-HBs + only), active HBV infection (HBsAg+), individuals susceptible to HBV, and anti-HCV reactivity were found in 12.9, 1.8, 27.2, 0.5, 57.7, 1.2% in Amerindians and 12.1, 2.0, 37.1, 0.3, 55.4, 0.3% in non-Amerindians respectively. Out of 139 anti-HBc reactive individuals, 70 were anti-HBe reactive and none presented HBeAg or anti-HBc IgM. Anti-HBc prevalence was associated to older age (p < 0.0001). Overall anti-Delta prevalence was 0.3% and regarding anti-HBc reactive individuals, anti-delta prevalence was 3.4 and 0% in Amerindians and non-Amerindians respectively.
Conclusions
Overall low prevalence of HBV and HCV infection was found in the populations studied, but high HBV and HCV prevalence was observed in Amerindians compared to non-Amerindians suggesting that these individuals have a higher likelihood of acquiring to these infections. Anti-delta antibodies were found among Amerindians from Eastern Amazon suggesting a risk for this population. Of note is that nearly half of Amerindians had no anti-HBs, indicating a need for HBV vaccination campaigns in this population.