[Serum antibodies against hepatitis A virus among subjects of middle and low socioeconomic levels in urban area of Santiago, Chile]

Rev Med Chil. 1999 Apr;127(4):429-36.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Background: The epidemiology of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is closely associated to the level of hygiene and sanitation of the population. Newly industrialising areas experience a transition from high to intermediate endemicity, which is characterized by a shift in the exposure age to HAV, from early childhood to school ages or adolescence.

Aim: To measure the prevalence of HAV antibodies in subjects living in urban Santiago.

Subjects and methods: A HAV antibody survey in five medium and low socioeconomic level urban districts of northern Santiago, was conducted in 1996. Healthy subjects aged 1 to 39 years old were recruited from randomly selected households.

Results: Five hundred three subjects were studied. Anti HAV antibodies were found in 13.2, 29.5, 59.6, 78.1, 95.6 and 98.2% of individuals aged 1 to 4, 5 to 9, 10 to 14, 15 to 19, 20 to 29 and 30 to 39 years old, respectively.

Conclusions: The profile of positive antibodies is compatible with an intermediate pattern of transmission of HAV. The current data supports the idea that infection is shifting towards older ages. A progressive increase in the number of susceptible school age children and teenagers is propitious for the occurrence of common source hepatitis A outbreaks.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Distribution*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Chile / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Hepatitis A / blood
  • Hepatitis A / etiology
  • Hepatitis A / immunology*
  • Hepatitis Antibodies / blood*
  • Hepatovirus / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Urban Population

Substances

  • Hepatitis Antibodies