The epidemiology of hepatitis A infection in Palestine: a universal vaccination programme is not yet needed (original) (raw)
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Evalution of anti-HAV antibodies (IgM) among children aged 1-5 years in Diyala governorate
With improvement in economic and living conditions of the communities, the age of acquiring hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is shifting from early childhood to adolescence and young adulthood. Such epidemiological shift leads to an increased incidence of symptomatic HAV infection, including heightened risk of liver failure.The present study was conducted in Diayala province for the period from 15 / 10 / 2017 to 10 / 4 / 2018. It included; 80 children patients were attended Al-Batool Hospital. 19 of patients were males and 61 were females. The age range was 1 years to 5 years. The study aimed to determining the rate of HAV-specific IgM antibodies in children aged from1 to 5 years. Serum specimens were collected for each children. Detection of HAV-specific IgM was done by Enzyme Rapid test. The results of the present study showed that the 9 children (11.25%) were anti-HAV IgM positive and 71 (88.75%) were anti-HAV IgM negative. There was higher seropositivity of HAV between age group (1-2) years (23.07%) for anti-HAV IgM with other age groups. In this study regarding gender, the rapid test positivity rate was in females (4.91%) was lower than that in males (31.57%). In conclusion, am recommended that working similar studies need to be done in other parts of the Diayla governorate. Additionally, the present study recommended that Hepatitis A virus vaccination should be considered carefully in Iraq and other developing countries, because of the high seropositivity to HAV in our region.
Changing patterns of hepatitis A prevalence within the Saudi population over the last 18 years
World Journal of Gastroenterology, 2008
0.0001). CONCLUSION: Over the last 18 years, there has been a marked decline in the prevalence of HAV in Saudi children and adolescents. The current low prevalence rates call for strict adherence to vaccination policies in high-risk patients and raises the question of a universal HAV vaccination program. AA. Changing patterns of hepatitis A prevalence within the Saudi population over the last 18 years. World J Gastroenterol 2008; 14(48): 7371-7375 Available from: URL: Abstract AIM: To determine the seroprevalence of Hepatitis A (HAV) amongst Saudi children and compare it with previously reported prevalence data from the same population. METHODS: A total of 1357 students were randomly selected between the ages of 16 and 18 years (689 males and 668 females) from three different regions of Saudi Arabia (Madinah, Al-Qaseem, and Aseer) and tested for anti-HAV-IgG. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of anti-HAV-IgG among the study population was 18.6%. There was no difference between males and females but there was a significant difference in the seroprevalence (P = 0.0001) between the three different regions, with Madinah region showing the highest prevalence (27.4%). When classified according to socioeconomic status, lower class students had a prevalence of 36.6%, lower middle class 16.6%, upper middle class 9.6%, and upper class 5.9% (P = 0.0001). Comparing the current study results with those of previous studies in 1989 and 1997 involving the same population, there was a marked reduction in the overall prevalence of HAV
The Journal of infectious diseases, 2016
Universal toddlers vaccination (UTV) introduced in 1999, reduced hepatitis A incidence in Israel from 50.4 to <1.0/100,000. The current Hepatitis A virus (HAV) molecular epidemiology in Israel was studied 13-14y post UTV introduction.. An outbreak in Tel-Aviv with 75 cases in 2012-2013 was investigated. Real-time RT-PCR and sequencing of the VP1-2A region (1100bp) was done on: a. serum samples from patients with acute Hepatitis A (12/ 75 in Tel-Aviv and 31 patients hospitalized in 3 other major cities in 2011-2013); b. in sewage samples (27 from metropolitan Tel-Aviv, 14 from the other 3 cities and 6 from Gaza). The outbreak began among intravenous drug users then spread to the general population. Patients' mean age was 33.2y, 4/75(5.3%) had been vaccinated and 58/75(77.3%) were hospitalized. No common environmental source was found. HAV was detected in sewage samples: 16/27(59.2%) from Tel-Aviv; 4/14(28.6%) collected throughout Israel and 6/6 (100%) from Gaza. Genotype IB pr...
Medical Journal Armed Forces India, 2019
Background: Hepatitis A virus (HAV) causes an enterically transmitted viral disease mainly affecting children and endemic in many developing countries, including India. There is an epidemiological shift with an increased incidence of symptomatic cases among children. This study was conducted to assess the seroprevalence of HAV among young children aged below 5 years and the need for universal immunization. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted at two tertiary care hospitals in Northern India, from Apr 2014 to Jul 2015, among healthy children aged between 1 and 5 years. The sample size was calculated based on the prevalence of HAV seropositivity of 40% among children aged <10 years [16e60%] and alpha error of 5%. Analysis of serum IgG against HAV was performed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method, and results were analyzed. Results: A total of 1084 children aged between 12 and 60 months were enrolled, with maleto-female ratio of 1.86:1. A total of 471 children (43.5%) were found to be positive for IgG against HAV. The seroprevalence of HAV was lower among younger children aged 12e23 months (odds ratio [OR] ¼ 0.73, 95% confidence interval [CI] ¼ 0.52e0.87, p ¼ 0.03), which was statistically significant. Seropositivity of HAV was lower among boys and families consuming safe drinking water and having improved sanitation facilities. Conclusion: The study observed lower seropositivity against HAV among younger children, making them susceptible of contracting the disease. Possible underlying risk factors were younger age, unsafe drinking water, poor sanitation, and low education status of parents. Therefore, vaccination may be recommended as optional vaccine at one year of age, along with improved public health efforts for safe drinking water, hygiene practices, and food safety.
Hepatitis A antibody prevalence among young adults in Israel – the decline continues
Epidemiology and Infection, 1998
This study sought to determine whether the decline in prevalence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) antibodies detected in Israel in 1977Israel in , 1984Israel in , and 1987 has continued. The anti-HAV antibody prevalence of a systematic sample of 578 male and female recruits inducted into the Israel Defence Force in 1996 was 38.4%. The reduction in antibody prevalence from 1977 (64%) was highly significant (P < 0001). There was a smaller decrease rate in recruits of European, North American, Australian and South African origin than from elsewhere. A 'strategy' that uses active immunization against hepatitis A (inactivated vaccine, instead of gamma globulin) should be considered, particularly in high risk groups such as field units during military service.
Journal of Viral Hepatitis, 2019
The degree of transmission of hepatitis A virus (HAV) is inversely proportional to the socioeconomic status of a community. Serosurveys conducted at Pune, India during 1982-98 documented significant reduction in HAV exposure of pediatric, higher socioeconomic status (HSS) population. Anti-HAV positivity (ELISA) in age-stratified Pune population representing HSS and lower middle socioeconomic status (LMSS) (n=1065) and infants till the age of 15months (n=690) was determined in 2017. Anti-HAV positivity in the LMSS population decreased significantly in 2017 while an increase was seen in the HSS category. The surprising rise in anti-HAV positivity in the HSS population reflected vaccine and infection induced antibodies while only infection-induced antibodies were present in the LMSS category. Lowest antibody prevalence in infants was at 12months, the recommended age for hepatitis A vaccination. Improved hygiene and selective immunization practices impacted HAV exposure of the LMSS population. The data emphasizes the need for hepatitis A vaccination irrespective of socioeconomic status.