Prevalence of hepatitis B and C serological markers among first-time blood donors in Brazil: a multi-center serosurvey
Abstract
Little data is available on the seroprevalence of, and risk factors for hepatitis B and C virus (HBV and HCV) infection in Latin American countries. A multi-center serosurvey was conducted among 3598 first-time blood donors (65% men) from Sao Paulo, Salvador and Manaus in Brazil. 皇冠体育app gender-specific seroprevalences of antibodies against hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) and of the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in anti-HBc-positive sera were measured, and risk factors analyzed by gender. 皇冠体育app gender-specific seroprevalences of antibodies against HCV (anti-HCV) were measured, but risk factors for HCV were not determined. Anti-HBc and HBsAg seroprevalences were not significantly different in men [101/2341 (4.31%) and 4/2229 (0.18%), respectively] and women [65/237 (5.25%) and 8/1,169 (0.68%), respectively], whereas the seroprevalence of anti-HCV was higher in women (12/1238 [0.97%] vs. 9/2353 [0.38%]; odds ratio [OR] = 2.49; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.0-6.0). No significant difference for HBV infection was found across the three study sites or by ethnic group. 皇冠体育app seroprevalence of anti-HBc increased with age, but decreased with education level in both genders. Lifetime number of sexual partners was associated with anti-HBc prevalence among men (OR = 1.95; 95% CI: 1.2-3.1), but not women. 皇冠体育app seroprevalence of HBV and HCV was low among Brazilian blood donors, and exposure increased with age in both genders.
Citation
Journal of Medical Virology (2008) 80 (1) pp. 53-57. [DOI:10.1002/jmv.21046].