High prevalence of hepatitis A in indigenous population in north Brazil

Abstract

Objectives Little is known about hepatitis A virus (HAV) prevalence in indigenous communities. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of HAV in indigenous community compared to urban population located at Western Amazon in Brazil. Results A total of 872 serum samples were obtained from 491 indigenous and 381 non indigenous individuals aging 0 to 90 years. Samples were tested for total and IgM anti-HAV and positive IgM samples were tested for HAV RNA. The overall prevalence of total anti-HAV was 87%, increased according age showing 100% of prevalence in those aging more than 30 years (p < 0.0001) and it was similar among indigenous and urban population. Total anti-HAV prevalence varied between tribes (p < 0.0001) and urban sites (p = 0.0014) and spatial distribution showed high prevalence in homes that received up to 100 dollars. IgM anti-HAV prevalence was 1.7% with predominance in males, those aging more than 41 years. No HAV RNA was detected. In conclusion, high overall anti-HAV prevalence was found in indigenous communities in North Brazil demonstrating the importance of universal vaccination in this group.

Ethnic differences in hepatitis A and E virus seroprevalence in patients attending the Emergency Department, Paramaribo, Suriname

“… 11 Of note, the highest anti-HAV prevalence was observed in the tribal and indigenous ethnic groups, the majority of which live or have lived in the rural rainforest or coastal areas of Suriname, where access to safe drinking water is limited, and sanitation is often difficult to maintain. A much higher anti-HAV prevalence has been found in riverine populations of the Amazon, Brazil, compared with metropolitan cities, 2 which was likely the result of improved access to clean water and sanitation. 17 , 18 Similarly, the urbanisation that took place in Paramaribo, the capital of Suriname, in the 1950s, and its suburbs in the 1970s, 19 enabled increased access to safe drinking water and proper sanitation and could explain the transition from low to very low HAV endemicity (i.e.…”

“… 1 In particular, a high prevalence of individuals positive for anti-HAV antibodies (anti-HAV) has been reported in several Indigenous communities where poor hygienic conditions are common. 2 In some high-income countries (HICs), outbreaks of HAV have also been reported among men who have sex with men (MSM) 3 and people who inject drugs. 4 Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is also enterically transmitted and is the leading cause of new viral hepatitis infections per year worldwide.…”

I Seven International Medical and Nursing Congress

“…These three countries have varied endemicities within their own borders. Brazil has a great population diversity from the indigenous tribes of the Amazon to the Caucasians of high society and the way of thinking, living and the culture itself will affect the endemicity of the region (de Paula et al, 2020). South Africa also has a great population diversity, with several ethnic groups coexisting in the same space.…”

“…O cuidado do Pré-natal é uma parte importante na gravidez e parto da mulher, a prática desse uso rotineiro está associados com melhores resultados perinatais. O cuidado acompanhado pelos profissionais de enfermagem passam a incorporar um comportamento de boas vindas desenvolvendo a educação e medidas preventivas para que evite riscos na gestação (MARQUES et al, 2020).…”

Não é não só uma virose

“…Os grupos de maior risco para a infecção são os imunodeprimidos; as crianças e adolescentes e as pessoas não vacinadas ou com vacinação incompleta (DE CASTRO; PAULA; DE ALMEIDA CONDÉ; DIAS FERREIRA et al, 2019). O vírus tem um período de transmissibilidade que se inicia uma semana antes do aparecimento dos sintomas e termina aproximadamente nove dias após o início da sintomatologia (DE CASTRO;PAULA;DE ALMEIDA CONDÉ;DIAS FERREIRA et al, 2019).…”